WILDLIFE TALES SUMMER 2016 NEWSLETTER
The beautiful weather and blooming trees can not have escaped anyone in Vancouver over these last couple of weeks. Summer has arrived, and so have the longer days, and warmer nights.
about these amazing animals. And read more about one of the most endangered ecosystems on Earth, the amazing Great Bear Rainforest with it's incredibly unique environments!
A lot of things have happened in our society since the last newsletter. We have a new Executive Director, Kristine Krynitzki, and our international intern Sandra, has returned back to her homeland of Sweden. Our wildlife educators Darren and Connel have also been very busy delivering a record number of wildlife educations programs!
I N THIS I SSUE INTRO
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THE GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST__
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BIGHORN SHEEP FEATURE
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OUR NEW INTERN_
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VOLUNTEER FEATURE__________
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BRAND NEW VIDEO
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NWPS IN THE COMMUNITY
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BEST WISHES PHOTO COLLAGE _____ 10
Check out our feature on the bighorn sheep to learn more Preservation Through Education NORTHWEST WILDLIFE PRESERVATION SOCIETY NORTHWEST WILDLIFE PRESERVATION SOCIETY
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THE GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST When one imagines a rainforest, they picture a steamy, humid jungle with entangled vegetation and a cacophony of animal sounds. There are in fact two types of rainforest; the tropical, which comes to mind for most and the temperate rainforest. Temperate rainforests are actually about ten times rarer and occupy only 0.2% of land area. This makes the temperate rainforest one of the most endangered ecosystems on Earth.
‘Heavy rainfall and moderate temperatures have led to the development of many oldgrowth trees.’ They have a cool, moderate climate, are often associated near mountain ranges and near the Pacific coast and although their biodiversity does not rival the tropics, they are still incredibly unique environments. Heavy rainfall and moderate temperatures have led to the development of many old-growth trees, conifers like cedar, spruce, fir and redwood are common in these forests, with some exceeding 100 metres (330 feet) in height and living for more than 1,000 years!
the spring create wetlands and lakes.
streams,
rivers,
estuaries,
This coastal rainforest supports a variety of unique terrestrial and marine species. Its rivers and streams are the site of some of the largest Pacific salmon runs. Yearly returns of salmon are relied upon as an important food source for many animals. The Great Bear Rainforest plays host too many unique and important species. The area has been isolated for most of its past, and therefore the grey wolves that live here have developed more genetic diversity than anywhere else in the world. Wolves here are slimmer and less thickly furred due to their environment, and they obtain a great amount of their diet from the sea. Wolves as well as bears and
The Great Bear Rainforest is the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world. Its area of 6.4 million hectares located along the central and northern coast of British Columbia represents one quarter of our planet’s temperate rainforests. Its temperate climate is characterized by cool summers and mild winters. Humid winds from warm ocean currents cool as they move towards the Western Cordillera Mountains. This results in several metres of rain that make B.C’s coastal rainforest one of the wettest places in the world. Heavy rainfall, and melting of mountain snow in NORTHWEST WILDLIFE PRESERVATION SOCIETY
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eagles carry salmon inland to forests where the remains become food for smaller creatures. Decaying salmon carcasses release nitrogen into the soil and fertilize local vegetation. In this way, salmon bring nutrients from the ocean to the land. This process creates highly diverse and productive forests.
‘Black bears also reside in this region, with a very special and unique twist. The spirit bear lives here and only in this region.’ The Great Bear Rainforest would not be so named if not for its characteristic bear populations, both grizzly and black bears. With the largest and densest concentration of grizzly bears in Canada, the Great Bear Rainforest provides a pristine environment for these mighty ursids. Grizzly bears are omnivores and disperse salmon, the seeds of berries and other plants to various parts of the forest via their feces. In this way they can be considered the gardeners of the forest. Black bears also reside in this region, with a very special and unique twist. The spirit bear lives here and only in this region. They are black bears with a white colour variation, which it inherits from a double recessive gene. Both parents must carry the recessive gene for the offspring to have white fur. It is estimated that 500 to 1,200 black bears carry this gene.
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another significant threat. Since most organisms in this forest are accustomed to a specific climate range, rapid changes can have adverse effects on wildlife and natural processes. The frequency and intensity of storms is likely to increase. Rapid growth of insect populations and forest fires are more likely to occur in the future. Drought has the potential to decimate large areas of vegetation as well as numbers of returning salmon that many species depend on for survival. We must do our part in protecting this endangered, globally unique and exceptional environment and all that it supports, not just now, but for many future generations to come.
‘While part of the Great Bear Rainforest is protected, this ecosystem is threatened by deforestation in the form of urban development, logging, and land conversion for agricultural purposes.‘ The Great Bear Rainforest provides a home for many different species of birds. Some inhabit the area throughout the year, while others rest here temporarily while migrating. The bald eagle is the most recognizable bird species. Due to its closeness to the ocean, the coastal rainforest provides nesting areas for seabirds. The marbled murrelet is a critically endangered species seabird that comes ashore, deep in the rainforest to lay its eggs. Ducks and other waterfowl often spend the winter in estuaries and inlets. While part of the Great Bear Rainforest is protected, this ecosystem is threatened by deforestation in the form of urban development, logging, and land conversion for agricultural purposes. Reforestation after clear cutting results in a group of trees with far less diversity. This process leaves trees of the same species and age that can only be relied upon by a limited number of species. Climate change is NORTHWEST WILDLIFE PRESERVATION SOCIETY
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CREATURE FEATURE: BIGHORN SHEEP
CREATURE FEATURE: SEA OTTER
The bighorn sheep is one of two species of wild sheep in North America. Its range extends from South-west Canada to Northern Mexico. Males have spiral shaped horns while females’ horns are shorter and spike-like. Large robust males can tip the scales at 140 kgs (310 lbs). Their fur is short and brown with white areas around the muzzle and rump. Life expectancy ranges from 10 to 15 years. Their front hoofs are larger than their hind ones. Each hoof has a hard, outer rim with a soft concave center that conforms to each surface. This adaptation allows the bighorn sheep to NORTHWEST WILDLIFE PRESERVATION SOCIETY
be very agile, moving across steep, uneven mountainous terrain. Bighorn sheep are herbivores and feed on grasses and other vegetation throughout their range. Alpine meadows and rocky cliffs within the Rocky Mountains are an ideal habitat for them. This type of habitat provides shelter from predators like bears, wolves, cougar and even wolverine. As social animals, bighorn sheep live in groups from 10 to 100 animals. Males and females generally live apart in separate groups but will assemble during mating season in the fall.
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Horn size determines the dominance 5 hierarchy among males. Smaller horned sheep are subordinate to those with larger horns. Males with similar sized horns will often fight each other over breeding privileges. Males will run towards each other and crash horns together to settle disputes. To avoid concussion, a ram has several specific adaptations. Their horns are made of an outer sheath of keratin that grows on top of thick, heavy bones extending from the skull. Flexible connections between boney plates of the skull allows for the absorption of force. Rams also have strong neck muscles to support the weight of their horns and also bring outbreaks of disease such as sustain the impact of collisions. pneumonia that have decimated herds in the past. In addition, populations are often fragmented as human settlements Although the bighorn sheep has to be and roads block the path of migration wary of predators, its main threat comes routes. The conservation of bighorn sheep from human activity. Bighorn habitat will be crucial for the protection of sheep populations are threatened by this iconic species. poaching and competition from domestic livestock over food. Domestic livestock
Did you know bighorns can have as many as six home ranges in one year? For rams these can include pre-rut, rutting, midwinter, later-winter/ spring, salt lick and summer ranges. Ewes may have winter, spring, lamping and summer ranges.
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OUR INTERNATIONAL INTERN: SANDRA LINDAHL Sandra was our intern at Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society throughout the winter and spring. She was born and raised in Sweden in a small mining town 100 km above the Arctic Circle called Malmberget. Growing up in a small town in the middle of nowhere in the Swedish forest made her love and respect nature and love cold and snowy winters with their dark days and northern lights. She believes that to understand people and how this world works, we need to see and experience as much as possible. A few years ago she volunteered at two animal sanctuaries in Namibia and Ecuador and that made her understand how vulnerable animals and nature are. That’s why she chose this career path!
To travel and experience the amazing wildlife in Canada has always been a big dream of hers and just after a few days in Vancouver she realized how amazing this city and country is. It is her strongest belief that the respect for nature and animals is so important and we need to take better care of each other and our planet and the best way to do that is through education.
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VOLUNTEER FEATURE: JACK LIN
Jack has been volunteering with our society for nearly a year and has quickly gained valuable knowledge and insight to the diversity of British Columbia’s wildlife. Jack has helped our educator on nature walks and workshops, during in-class programs and with stewardship activities. Jack says that “volunteering with Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society has been a fun learning experience for me. Before starting with the society, I did not know much about BC's wildlife species and their habitats, but through participation of the educational programs I was able to learn a great deal. Nature walks are my favourite and are intensely fun. I get to see how children are becoming more informed of the environment they are living in.” In his spare time Jack likes to be out in nature and practice his new found photography skills. He hopes to improve upon them so he can take more amazing images of the wild and show its beauty to more people. Jack and his rescue dog are also inseparable!
If you’d like to volunteer with us please call us at 604-568-9160 or email us at info@northwestwildlife.com
NEWSLETTER PRODUCED BY NORTHWEST WILDLIFE PRESERVATION SOCIETY CREATED BY ANDREW W AND SANDRA LINDAHL Instagram
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A BRAND NEW VIDEO
In October 2015 our society produced a video with the help of Telus Optical Local. It highlights our work that we do in the community with our in school classes and outdoor programs and stewardships. You can watch the video in the link below! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNLN9NK5amo
THANK YOU, DONORS! Thank you so much to our generous top donors whose contributions have made it possible for us to continue providing important environmental education to British Columbians since 1987.
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NWPS IN THE COMMUNITY
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Thank you to all who volunteered at our stewardship events and to those who came out and visited us at festivals. Keep an eye out for upcoming events, which will be listed on our website at: www.northwestwildlife.com/get-involved
NEW RECORD! 2015 was a good year for our
society, we delivered a record number of wildlife education programs, 300 in total and with stewardship and special events reached well over 11,000 participants!
Keep up-to-date with our events by liking our Facebook pages. www.facebook.com/NorthwestWildlifePreservationSociety NORTHWEST WILDLIFE PRESERVATION SOCIETY
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HAVE A WONDERFUL AND HAPPY SUMMER!
Photos taken by: Darren Colello NORTHWEST WILDLIFE PRESERVATION SOCIETY
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