Chapter 1. Caribou Preservation in Canada

Introduction

Video Case Study

Caribou Preservation in Canada

In this activity you will be watching a 3:33 video entitled Another Chance produced by Leanne Allison for Parks Canada. This short video features the status of caribou populations in Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. You will be encouraged through this exercise to learn about how caribou populations have been affected by both human and natural events, and how park managers plan to restore caribou populations.

In each section of the activity you’ll be asked to think about elements of the video’s content and presentation as they relate to environmental literacy, which you learned about in Chapter 1.

1.1 Section A: Analyzing The Video

Instructions

Watch the video with this question in mind: Why have caribou declined in Banff National Park? After watching the video, answer the below questions.

Question 1.1

Have caribou been numerous in the past in Banff National Park?

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Question 1.2

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Question 1.3

What major event occurred in 2009 caused a sudden decline in caribou?

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Question 1.4

What other key factor(s) led to caribou decline?

Factors
poor weather 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
hunting 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
predation 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
competition 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
disease 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
tourism 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
industrial activity 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=

1.1.1 Section A: Analyzing The Video (Continued)

Instructions

1. Watch the video again.

2. As you watch, note the answers to the following questions.

Question 1.5

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Question 1.6

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Question 1.7

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List characteristics that make the park suitable or unsuitable for caribou.

Question 1.8

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Question 1.9

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Question 1.10

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1.1.2 Section A: Analyzing The Video (Continued)

Instructions

1. Watch the video again if necessary.

2. This time concentrate on the text shown in the video.

Question 1.11

How does Banff National Park plan to foster caribou in the park?

Plans
predator control 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
captive breeding 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
hunting restrictions 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
cull of competitor species 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
transfer of Arctic herds to the park 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=

Question 1.12

Why are they using this method?

Reason
lack of source populations 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
caribou are a preferred species 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
disease in source populations 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
wolves are not an appropriate species 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=

Question 1.13

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Question 1.14

Where will caribou reintroductions be done?

Location
Alberta 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
Saskatchewan 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
British Columbia 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
Manitoba 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=

1.2 Section B: Summary Questions

Question 1.15

Why has predator control been so common?

Location
to prevent spread of disease in predator populations 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
for fur 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
to preserve natural prey populations 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
to preserve livestock populations 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
for tourism/recreation (hunting) 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
to reduce human safety risks 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=

Why is predator control such a problematic activity?

Question 1.16

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Can you think of other similar species interventions in other parts of the world?

Question 1.17

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What were the outcomes of these other species interventions?

Question 1.18

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Question 1.19

Having watched Another Chance, do you feel that you are fully aware of the causes and consequences of human impacts on caribou populations?

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Question 1.20

What other factors might be at work that were not mentioned in the video?

Factors
disease 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
competition 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
habitat fragmentation 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
hunting 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
other: nZnhv4MoEh4FcQx7

1.2.1 Section C: The Arctic Oil and Wildlife Refuge Questions

Instructions

Having viewed the video clip and focused on environmental literacy, now read the following article and related responses.

"The Arctic Oil and Wildlife Refuge" W. Wayt Gibbs, Scientific American, May 2001 Responses in Letters, Scientific American, September 2001, and November 2001

Question 1.21

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Question 1.22

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Question 1.23

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1.2.2 Section C: The Arctic Oil and Wildlife Refuge Questions (continued)

Question 1.24

W. Wayt Gibbs’ 2001 article describes the natural Northern Alaska landscape and the landscape features that result from oil and gas exploration and extraction. Check off the typical natural landscape mentioned in this article.

Feature
prairie 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
mountains 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
tundra 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
lakes 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
rivers 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
coastal plain 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
wetlands 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
permafrost 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
ocean 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
forest 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
ponds 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
alpine meadow 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
snow 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
grasslands 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
foothills 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
plateau 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
hummocks 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
ice pockets 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
river deltas 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=
rock outcrops 2K3REYmgPBjb2b58pdLC4MtdonI=

Question 1.25

List at least nine landscape features that will result from oil and gas exploration and extraction activities. Then, check off the landscape features from this list that could impact caribou.

Feature
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Question 1.26

Do we have enough information to predict with confidence how local wildlife such as caribou will respond to land use changes in the Arctic?

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Question 1.27

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1.3 Activity Completed!

Activity results are being submitted.