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Home » Seasonal Caribou Closures Begin For Jasper National Park

Seasonal Caribou Closures Begin For Jasper National Park

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By NPT Staff - November 22nd, 2022
Parks Canada uses seasonal closures in Jasper National Park to protect the caribou.

Parks Canada uses seasonal closures in Jasper National Park to protect the caribou/Parks Canada

Seasonal closures in the Tonquin, Brazeau and À la Pêche caribou ranges of Jasper National Park are in effect until May 15.

“Closing critical habitat for caribou in winter prevents the creation of packed snow trails from the valley bottom to high-elevation areas,” the Alberta park said in a news release. “In winter, caribou are protected from predators by their high-elevation habitat, where the snow is too deep for wolves to move around without sinking. Research shows that trails packed by snowmobiles, backcountry skiers, snowboarders and snowshoers can lead wolves to prey on caribou in the very places caribou go to avoid predators.”

For maps of the seasonal closure areas, visit this link.

The Tonquin, Brazeau and North Boundary areas reopen to backcountry recreation between May 16 and Oct. 31.

The number of caribou in the Tonquin and Brazeau herds is very low. Although their population has stabilized since 2015 and is no longer in a steep decline, Parks Canada says "their ongoing survival is precarious and could change quickly. When caribou herds get too small, the herds become more vulnerable to natural threats such as predators, disease and accidents."

Parks Canada is currently assessing comments from Indigenous partners, stakeholders and the public on a proposed conservation breeding strategy to rebuild small caribou herds in Jasper. A final decision is expected by the end of this year.

Seasonal closures in winter caribou habitat will remain in place whether or not the proposed conservation breeding program moves forward. While no new long-term closures related to caribou conservation are planned, there may be occasional, temporary or short-term closures.

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