Caribou in British Columbia's Interior face a tough road to recovery. Researchers are now urging a closer look at how the food given to caribou in maternity pens affects their health and chances of survival in the wild.

Caribou have a unique diet. They love lichen, a plant-like organism that grows on trees and the forest floor. But not all lichen is the same. Different types of lichen can change the bacteria in a caribou's gut, which is crucial for their health.

In the wild, caribou eat a lot of lichen. But in maternity pens, they often get commercial feed pellets instead. This switch can have big effects. Researchers found that caribou in pens have different gut bacteria than those in the wild. This could make them less healthy and less likely to survive when released back into nature.

Maternity pens are important. They help protect caribou from predators like wolves and bears during calving season. But researchers say we need to do more. They recommend monitoring the caribou's feces to check their health, collecting the types of lichen that local caribou prefer, and changing the feed pellets to match the caribou's natural diet more closely.

The problem is bigger than just food. Logging and climate change are also making it harder for caribou to find the lichen they need. Protecting old-growth forests is key to keeping these endangered animals alive.

The researchers' work is a reminder that every detail matters in conservation. From the food we give caribou to the forests we protect, every choice can impact their survival.

CARIBOU CONSERVATION

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