Caribou Mountains (Alberta) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Caribou Mountains |
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Location of Caribou Mountains in Alberta
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,030 m (3,380 ft) |
| Prominence | ≈700 m (2,300 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Northern Alberta, Canada |
The Caribou Mountains are a mountain range located in northern Alberta, Canada. They are special because they surround a high, flat area that looks a bit like a saucer. This area rises about 700 meters (2,300 feet) above the flat lands around it.
These mountains reach a height of up to 1,030 meters (3,380 feet). This makes them the tallest mountains in northern Alberta! They are found north of the lower Peace River. To their north and east is Wood Buffalo National Park. What's really cool is that this area was not covered by ice during the last big ice age.
Discover the Caribou Mountains Wildland Park
Because the Caribou Mountains have such a special environment, the Caribou Mountains Wildland Park was created in 2001. This park covers a huge area of 5,910 square kilometers (2,280 square miles). It was made to protect the unique nature found here.
This park is the largest wildland park in Alberta. It has a very delicate natural system. Inside the park, you can find important wetlands (areas of land covered by water). There are also places where the ground stays frozen all year, called permafrost. Many different kinds of birds also come here to breed and raise their young.
Home to the Wood Bison
The Caribou Mountains Wildland Park is also home to a group of wood bison. These amazing animals are an endangered species, which means they are at risk of disappearing forever. About 120 wood bison live in the Wentzel Lake area of the park. They usually live in small groups of up to 15 animals.
Protecting the Woodland Caribou
The park has forests that are mostly untouched and full of lichen. Lichen is a type of plant that grows on trees and rocks. This is the favorite food and home for woodland caribou.
A large part of the area where an important group of woodland caribou lives is inside the park. About 80 percent of their home range is protected here. In fact, about one-third of all the woodland caribou in Alberta depend on this park to survive. These caribou are a threatened species, so the park plays a very important role in keeping them safe.
