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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 Please visit our web site to download the latest project newsletter, or to add your name to our mailing list.