The Kaska Ancestral Territory holds millions of hectares of remote landscape located in the Boreal Cordillera ecozone, rich in lush wetlands and diverse wildlife like caribou, moose, elk, mountain goat, and waterfowl., as wildlife and land stewardship are central to Kaska Dena culture. As wildlife and environmental stewardship is central to Kaska Dena culture, the role of the Dane Nan Yḗ Dāh Land Guardians initiative is vital for Kaska.
Objectives
Monitor the population, movement and health of ungulates in the Kaska Ancestral Territory to bring traditional knowledge practices and western science to support healthy populations and contribute to co-management strategies with the Yukon and BC governments.
Partners
Dena Kayeh Institute partners with the province of BC (Peace Region) to fund and conduct the Bison Collaring Program. The 3 Nations Society and British Columbia Collaborative Stewardship Framework (“3NBC-CSF”) provides financial and human resource capacity support for the 3Nations guardians programs which has allowed for expanded role of the Dane Nan Yḗ Dāh Land Guardians, continued engagement with provincial representatives on wildlife and land use monitoring and establishment of study areas, seasonal guardians and the purchase of necessary equipment and tools.
Activities
Bison Collaring Program with Province of BC (Peace Region)
- DNYD Guardians Robbie Porter, Lisa Shepherd in partnership with Province of BC conducted a bison collaring program with bison along the Alaska Highway. The joint project started in 2022, and the work continues with monitoring collar movement and yearly collaring and sampling of the Bison. The work initiated with identifying bison hotspots along the Alaska highway with a view to mitigating bison-vehicle collisions.
- Approximately 10% of the estimated bison population were collared to conduct a mark-resight survey and estimate the current population size, recruitment, population structure to support management planning.
- The data collected in 2008-2012 GPS collaring study was used to compare to 2023 data to analyze changes, such as movement patterns.
- The data was also used to compare population movements and habitat usage with other bison populations in North America, and to promote Wood Bison conservation in the province and Canada.
Sheep Surveys
- Sheep count surveys were conducted in the Cassiar and Muncho area, recording population numbers by ram, ewe and lamb. Auxiliary Guardian Jerry Porter assisted with the Heli surveys.
- Sheep count surveys were conducted in 7-54 Sheep Survey (Peace Region) in 2023 & 2024. Stone Sheep surveys were completed within the Stone Mountain range in Wildlife Management Unit (WMU 7-54).
- The surveys were conducted to obtain a minimum count of the Stone Mountain Sheep and to classify rams.
- The Stone Sheep population surveys were completed from February 12th-23rd, 2024- Auxiliary Guardian Jerry Porter assisted with the Heli surveys.
Moose Surveys
- Moose Liard Basin Surveys were conducted from February 22nd-25th, 2023, led by DKI and the Kaska Guardians. A repeat of past surveys was in 2015 and 1997 to detect changes in population trends.
- Moose Stratified Random Block Survey in the Kídízā- Good Hope Lake and Dālīyǭ- Lower Post areas including Dease River to Liard River (Wildlife Management Units 6-23, 6-24 Liard Basin Moose Population Unit).
- A total of 1592 + 387 (90 % CI) and a density of 0.18 moose/km2 is estimated before sight ability is applied. In addition, 34 + 7 bulls/100 cows (90 % CI) and 25 + 7 calves/100 cows (90 % CI) is estimated for the 2023 survey.
Caribou Surveys
- Caribou Population Surveys – 2023
- Little Rancheria Caribou Surveys – October 2022
- Community Harvest surveys were done over a two-year period.
Wildlife Cameras
Wildlife cameras were installed based on Traditional Knowledge from Kaska Elders on moose migration paths, and on bison kill to gain more knowledge about wolves.
Outcomes
Bison Collaring
- Bison Movement Map created and maintained. Map is sent out weekly to Guardians who investigate any issues with collars and report back to BC.
- 13 Bison collared.
- Data uploaded regularly to BC.
Moose Surveys
- Overall, the moose survey data showed declining trends in the number of moose.
- The surveys results were consistent with community knowledge showing declines in the bull numbers, decline in moose density (moose on the land) and low calf survival numbers since 1997.
Caribou Surveys
- 44 GPS collars were placed on female caribou from the Little Rancheria herd in November 2020 and March 2022. The mark-resight survey consisted of 3 rounds of survey flown by unique crews for each round. The proportion of collared animals signeted was used to calculate an estimate of the total population size. Population composition was recorded during the 3rd round of survey.
Resources
DNYD Wildlife Camera 0:30
