AB-2025-06096 - PROVISION OF VETERINARY SERVICES

Woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) are a Threatened species in Alberta (Wildlife Act), and in Canada (Species at Risk Act). Wood bison (Bison bison athabascae) are listed as Threatened under the federal Species at Risk Act and in addition, in Alberta have Minister’s approval to pursue a provincial Threatened listing (Wildlife Act).

Habitat loss and alteration from industrial development are the primary causes of caribou population declines and extirpation in Alberta. Due to its effects on prey abundance, habitat alteration results in unnaturally increased and unsustainable predation on caribou. Key facets of Alberta’s wood bison program are to understand and mitigate disease transmission from diseased bison populations in Wood Buffalo National Park to disease-free populations in Alberta, reduce human conflicts with wild wood bison, ensure any harvest of wild wood bison populations are sustainable, and pursue bison recovery across portions of northern Alberta.

Fish and Wildlife Stewardship Branch (FWSB) is responsible for provincial delivery of Alberta’s caribou and bison monitoring, management, and recovery programs. This contract is for a licensed and qualified wildlife veterinarian to provide technical assistance and guidance and veterinary support services to FWSB personnel related to woodland caribou and wood bison management and recovery in northern Alberta, on an as-needed basis. Technical services may involve investigating causes of mortality, disease-testing, guidance on appropriate biological specimen sampling, necropsies (both in a lab and field setting), biological sample management and delivery to relevant labs or subject matter experts, training, manuscript preparation, reporting writing or animal capture and immobilization.

Work, and any associated deliverables, under this Contract will be on an as-needed, case-by-case basis, and there is no guarantee of a minimum level of work.