Central Selkirk Caribou Maternity Pen: User Protocol

Introduction
ALCS aims to be cooperative with road users while limiting disturbance to caribou. Caribou are sensitive to unnatural and sudden noises, so efforts must be made to limit traffic and noise levels in the vicinity of the Central Selkirk Caribou Maternity Pen while caribou are present. A gate has been installed on some roads, under an authorization with the Ministry of Forests.
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Gating, signage, temporary closures, and increased public awareness are used to manage road traffic and noise. The gate is used to close the FSR temporarily during high-stress periods for the caribou (i.e. immediately after capture, during calving). The gate may be locked at any time while there are animals in the pen, in response to maternity pen operations and animal conditions. Full road closures will be used as a last resort.
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Access Plan
A Controlled Access Area is established to cover approximately 1.0 km of road distance on either side of the maternity pen. Access for user groups and the public will be allowed in the Controlled Access Area when the gate is unlocked.
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Protocol must be followed:

1. Upon arrival at a gate: Stop, Read the Signage.

2. Ensure you are visiting during a period of time when the gate is unlocked and open to the public.

3. No dogs or other domestic animals are allowed in the Controlled Access Area.

4. Idle vehicle past pen as quietly as possible, keeping RPMs low, i.e. idle. The speed limit is 10 km/hour.

5. No stopping through the controlled access area.

6. No sudden noises, i.e. load rattling or scraping, dog barking, etc.

7. Load/unload motorized recreation vehicles (snowmobiles, ATVs, dirt bikes) at the advanced staging area only (Moon Creek)