Download Sulphur / 8 Mile Stone`s Sheep Project Northern British Columbia

Sulphur / 8 Mile
Stone’s Sheep Project
Northern British Columbia
A multi-stakeholder research and planning initiative.
No. 4, Fall 2007
PROJECT NEWSLETTER
Funding News
The support of the
following organizations in
2007 and 2008 is
gratefully acknowledged:
Trans Canada
Pipelines Ltd. [$35K]
BC Oil and Gas
Commission Science
and Environmental
Knowledge (SCEK)
Fund [$300K]
BC Ministry of Energy,
Mines, and Petroleum
Resources (MEMPR)
Environmental Policy
Program [$35K]
Research Program Updates
Population Demographics
Herd Health
We have finalized data analysis of our
population censuses. We utilized the
data from the December 2006 and March
2007 inventories to determine the
population estimate. This method
increased the confidence in the final
estimate.
Inspection of jaw bones collected during
post mortems found that a number of
sheep had “lumpy jaw” (Figure 1). This
disease is caused by bacterial infection,
and is characterized by jaw bone
deformities, bone recession along the
gum line, and uneven tooth wear (Figure
2). Although not considered fatal, this
condition could affect a sheep’s ability to
forage, and therefore, may lead to
malnutrition.
We estimate the current Stone’s sheep
population in the S8M project area to be
approximately 1200 individuals. The
Sentinel population is estimated at 627
sheep and the Stone population at 545
sheep.
Total sheep counted
Funding proposals for
2008-09 have been
submitted to:
Habitat Conservation
Trust Fund (HCTF)
[$145K]
Population estimate
1400
1400
1200
1000
1172
997
800
939
888
1200
1000
875
800
600
600
400
400
200
200
0
0
Mar
1977
Mar
2004
Dec
2006
Mar
2007
Habitat Use and Selection
Figure 1. The lower jaw bone of S036. Note
the enlarged irregular portion near the centre
of the photo and the difference in bone
thickness. This is typical of “lumpy jaw”.
We presented the results to date from the
data that we have recovered from GPS
collared ewes to the Muskwa-Kechika
Advisory Board (M-KAB), North Peace
Stone’s Sheep Science Advisory
Committee, and the North Peace Stone’s
Sheep Sustainability Steering Committee
this quarter.
Synergy Applied Ecology
These groups expressed concerns over
knowledge gaps of sheep use within the
northern portion of the high elevation pretenure area. The steering committee,
with the support of the M-KAB and the
science committee, made the decision to
fit 3-7 year old male sheep with GPS
collars to address these gaps.
Figure 2. Side view of the lower jawbone of
S036. The recessed bone below the molars
were caused by an infection likely due to
abrasive materials becoming wedged
between teeth and gums, resulting in trauma
and allowing bacteria to infiltrate the tissue.
S8M Stone’s Sheep Project
Page 2 of 2
Community and Traditional Knowledge
Did You Know?
Unfortunately, the Community and
Traditional Ecological Knowledge
component of the project did not
receive funding for 2007-08. We will
continue to seek funding for this
work in the future. Please contact
us if you have first-hand knowledge
of historic Stone’s sheep abundance
and distribution in northern BC, and
would like to participate in this
program.
Calendar of Events
Head butting is an essential part of
sheep behavior. Contrary to popular
belief, head butting is practiced not only
by rams during the rut but by ewes and
lambs throughout the year as well. It
serves several social functions during
sheep interactions ranging from
combating boredom to fending off
potential predators.
Project Leaders:
North Peace Stone’s Sheep Sustainability Committee
[strategic direction]
Sept 19 2007: North Peace
Stone’s Sheep Science
Advisory Committee
Meeting, Prince George, BC.
Progress Report presentation
North Peace Stone’s Sheep Science Advisory Committee
[technical direction and peer-review]
Project Partners:
Oct 12 2007: MuskwaKechika Advisory Board
Meeting, Mackenzie, BC.
Project presentation
Oct 23 2007: North Peace
Stone’s Sheep Sustainability
Steering Committee
Meeting, Fort St. John, BC.
Project presentation
Dec. 6 2007: Fort Nelson
Land and Resource
Management Plan Meeting,
Fort Nelson, BC.
Project presentation
BC Integrated Land Management Bureau
BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands
BC Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Petroleum Resources
BC Ministry of Environment
BC Oil and Gas Commission
BC Wildlife Federation
Canadian Association of Geophysical Contractors
Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers
Dawson Creek Sportsman’s Club
Guide Outfitters Association of BC
Kaska-Dene First Nations
Muskwa-Kechika Advisory Board
North Peace Rod and Gun Club
Northeastern BC Wildlife Fund
Northern BC Guides Association
Treaty 8 First Nations
Wild Sheep Society of BC
Contact Information
Project Manager
c/o Synergy Applied Ecology
PO Box 1176,
Mackenzie, BC V0J 2C0
Phone: (250) 250-997-3496
[email protected]
Media Inquiries
Written requests only please
c/o Synergy Applied Ecology
PO Box 1176,
Mackenzie, BC V0J 2C0
[email protected]
We’re on the Web!
Visit us at:
www.synergyecology.ca/S8Msheep
STAMP
Sulphur/8 Mile Stone’s Sheep Project
PO Box 1176, Mackenzie BC, V0J 2C0
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