Lichen lifeline: integrating natural forage into caribou nutrition and conservation strategies

Citation

Jancewicz LJ. 2025. Lichen lifeline: integrating natural forage into caribou nutrition and conservation strategies. In Treiber K, Brooks M, D’amato-Anderson J, Nylander J, Eds. Proceedings of the Sixteenth Conference on Zoo and Wildlife Nutrition, AZA Nutrition Advisory Group, Oklahoma City, OK.

Abstract

Caribou, a cold-adapted ruminant with highly specialized digestive and sensory adaptations, rely heavily on lichens, particularly in winter, making this forage a cornerstone of both ex-situ diet formulation and reintroduction success. Lichens are rich in slowly fermentable carbohydrates (e.g., lichenin) and contain secondary compounds like usnic acid, which caribou can detoxify efficiently, unlike many other ruminants. In the face of alarming population declines driven by habitat loss, climate change, and anthropogenic pressures, nutritionists play a central role in preserving physiological and ecological integrity through dietary strategies that reflect wild-type intake. This presentation highlights a sustainable lichen sourcing initiative developed by the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo in collaboration with community partners across Alberta and British Columbia. Lichens are harvested from non-caribou zones destined for development, guided by protocols on species ID, minimal-impact collection, and nutritional screening to ensure feed safety and conservation alignment. Emerging research using genetic metabarcoding reveals that deep-snow mountain caribou have distinct winter diets and gut microbiota, with reduced lichen consumption and microbiome shifts potentially influenced by maternal penning practices. These findings underscore the importance of maintaining microbiome-compatible diets in managed care, particularly when reintroductions are a goal. By integrating wild-type forage, gut microbial ecology, and responsible land use into caribou diet planning, we advance both animal well-being and conservation success.

JancewiczLichenZN2025S6.pdf     130 KB