The B.C. Environmental Appeal Board (EAB) recently made a ruling regarding a wildlife biologist’s actions towards an endangered caribou herd in northern B.C., shedding light on the interpretation of “hunting.” Doug Heard, a former provincial wildlife biologist and adjunct professor at the University of Northern B.C., has been dedicated to the restoration of an endangered caribou herd at Kennedy Siding, a vital 223-hectare habitat southeast of Mackenzie, B.C., for the past decade.
Heard’s methodology of obtaining caribou hair for DNA analysis was deemed unlawful. On November 7, 2024, Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship staff observed Heard using a device called a “cable caster” with small clamps, aiming to collect caribou hair at a feeding station via a live webcam. Despite having a permit for DNA sampling from hair and fecal pellets, Heard was prohibited from directly removing hair from the animals.
Subsequently, Heard’s permit was revoked, leading him to challenge the decision. In a ruling issued on May 7 by the EAB, it was concluded that Heard’s actions aligned with the definition of illegal hunting under B.C. legislation. The Wildlife Act encompasses the pursuit of animals with the intent of capturing any part, including hair, regardless of whether the wildlife is harmed or captured, as highlighted by the tribunal.
The province contended that permitting Heard’s actions would set a precedent for individuals to target wildlife as long as their aim was to capture a specific part rather than the entire animal. The Environmental Appeal Board supported this argument, referencing a past decision permitting Heard to opportunistically collect samples in a non-hunting zone.
Heard argued that the cable caster was less intrusive compared to his previous methods involving a dart gun and toy crossbow, which were deemed inappropriate in prior board rulings. Despite being eligible to reapply for a wildlife permit from May 2 onwards, Heard chose not to comment on the outcome of the ruling.
Overall, the EAB’s decision underscores the importance of adhering to regulations in wildlife research and conservation efforts, emphasizing the necessity of ethical and legal practices in studying endangered species.