The foothills of Alberta, Canada are home to both our Cardinal River Operations, and a threatened* population of grizzly bears. Since 2004, Teck has been working to support protection of this iconic species through implementation of a Grizzly Bear Management Plan. Thanks in part to this work, the grizzly bear population in the region has more than doubled over the last decade.
Partnering for Success with fRI Research
Teck has been a long time and continued partner with fRI Research, a non-profit organization focused on sustainable land and resource management, including their Grizzly Bear Research Program. This program helps to ensure that accurate, current scientific information is available to guide our management activities and protect this important species.
As measured during fRI Research’s 2014 population estimate, the highest known detection of individual grizzly bears for the Alberta Yellowhead Population Unit (Bear Management Area 3) is within watersheds that contain the Cardinal River Operations. According to the 2014 population estimate, grizzly bear numbers within this population unit more than doubled since 2004. For more information on the results of this study, please see the Estimates of Grizzly Bear Population Size and Density Final Report.
These research findings will be used by mine planners at Cardinal River and regional land managers to continuously improve our plans to protect the grizzly bears and achieve our vision of having a net positive impact on biodiversity in areas affected by our activities.
Grizzly Bear Management Plan
Our approach is guided by both our comprehensive biodiversity management plan and the Cardinal River Environmental Policy. In addition, we also maintain and implement a Grizzly Bear Management Plan which includes:
- minimizing the overall disturbance footprint
- monitoring grizzly bear movements for consideration in mine and reclamation planning
- creating a Carnivore Observation Program and Traffic and Wildlife Management Plan that includes using radio communication procedures to alert employees and prevent adverse interactions
- creating and implementing a wildlife/bear awareness program for all Cardinal River employees and contractors
- building full-span crossings of Prospect, Whitehorse and upper McLeod streams for bears and other wildlife
Preventing wildlife impacts and ensuring the safety of people on site is achieved through awareness of potential hazards and understanding our interactions with wildlife. Learn more about our approach to wildlife management at all of our operations in the Biodiversity section of our website.
*As per the Alberta Government, 2010
