Understanding wildlife studies: Key words and definitions
Furbearers
Mammals that are trapped commercially for their fur (i.e., racoon, skunk, red fox).
Mammals
Mammals are warm-blooded vertebrate animals that nurse their young with milk. Species that may be found within the project study area include the red fox, Canada lynx, and moose.
Ungulates
Ungulates are a group of mammals characterized by the presence of hooves. Species expected to occur within the project study area include whitetailed deer, moose, elk (wapiti), and wild boar.
Why study wildlife?
The habitat of certain mammals is protected and holds significant importance for local communities and Indigenous Nations. Some mammals are trapped for commercial purposes related to fur, while others, such as ungulates, play an important economic role in recreational hunting activities.
By conducting studies on mammals to understand their distribution, migratory movements, and habitat characteristics, Alto’s biologists will be able to assess how these elements may evolve during the construction and operation of the new railway line and to identify appropriate protection and mitigation measures.
What do wildlife studies involve?
Wildlife studies aim to establish baseline environmental conditions. They include, among other activities:
- Documenting ungulate tracks and identifying trails, their location, abundance, and associated habitats following recent snowfall (ranging from one to six days).
- Using motion‑activated cameras (trail cameras) to detect the presence of mammals across various habitat types.
- Conducting drone-based surveys to document certain environmental characteristics and support field observations.
- Assessing how the distribution, abundance, and habitat use of mammals may change as a result of the construction and operation of the new railway.
- Developing measures to avoid, reduce, or mitigate potential adverse effects on wildlife.
