On a clear sunny day in March, in a snow-covered area of the South Peace River region of British Columbia, a female caribou is on the ground, struggling to get back on its feet.

Surrounded by a team of biologists, veterinarians, and First Nations community members, the sedated animal is slowly opening its eyes. Cec Heron, lands and resource manager for the West Moberly First Nations, gently strokes its back and speaks to it in a soft voice.

“I am just letting her know that she is now in a good place and will be very well looked after,” Heron says.

Along with ten other pregnant females, this one has just been captured in the Rocky Mountains, by a net fired