Mountain Caribou are a unique ecotype of the woodland caribou and are related to the European Reindeer. Mountain caribou are listed as endangered with approximately 1900 animals remaining in British Columbia. There is a small herd or approximately 40 animals in the West Kootenays that range from Northern Idaho and Washington to the west arm of Kootenay Lake.

Some interesting facts of the caribou are: they have wide hooves that allow them to walk in the deep snow, in the winter they eat lichen which hangs from the trees and both sexes grow antlers.

The Mountain Caribou Recovery program is working hard to keep the caribou from existing only on the 25 cent coin. If you see a mountain caribou in the backcountry, please stay way from them and report the sighting to the Whitewater Guest Services Desk.