EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week

Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), Family Cervidae
British Columbia, Canada

Explanation:   Call Santa, quick!  His reindeer have gotten loose! 

Well, these are not strictly reindeer ... they are woodland caribou, a threatened species found in higher-elevation forests of central British Columbia, western Canada.  

Female woodland caribou (cows) also sport antlers.
Here, a cow is trailed by her YOTY (young of the year).

On a field study I briefly helped with, wildlife researchers Scott McNay, Line Giguere, Rob McCann, and others were studying woodland caribou from a small 4-person helicopter, tracking radio-collared individuals and observing others from above.   

Punching through deep snow can be tiresome, 
especially for the young calf.  Note the colored ear
tag and radio-telemetry collar on the female.

The study was prompted by the need to develop sound guidelines for managing their forest habitat, and because populations have been declining throughout much of their range because of habitat loss and disruption.  

Like many other wildlife species, global climate change might be posing additional risks on the future of the species.