42. Lee Harding: Biologist on Wolves & Caribou in BC
Episode description
Lee Harding is a father, grandfather, biologist, environmental consultant, hunter, and researcher. In this conversation, Aaron and Lee talk about the wolf culling that is taking place in British Columbia. Aerial wolf reduction involves the shooting of wolves from a helicopter, which the province claims is the most effective and humane way to reduce wolf populations in remote areas to protect Caribou. Mr. Harding's research suggests this is inaccurate, and in the conversation they discuss viable alternatives.
After graduating from a California university with a B.Sc. degree in Wildlife Management (1970), Lee guided for a season in northern British Columbia, hunting Stone’s sheep, moose, caribou and mountain goats. He consulted in wildlife ecology in the Arctic for five years, where he worked closely with First Nations trappers in studies of furbearers, muskoxen and caribou. He was an Environment Canada biologist and program manager for 20 years, and after taking early retirement from the Canadian Wildlife Service, went to Japan for a PhD in Wildlife Toxicology from Gifu University (2003). He was an environmental consultant for another 20 years (1998–2007). Dr. Harding is a Registered Professional Biologist in British Columbia, Canada and a member (retired) of the College of Applied Biology (B.C.), the American Society of Mammalogists and the British Columbia Field Ornithologists. Most of his writing is in government technical reports, technical reports for consulting clients and newspaper/magazine articles.