Wildlife Act of British Columbia
GENERAL PERMIT APPLICATION
Please complete all sections of this form. Type or print legibly. Attach additional sheets as needed.
NOTE: For Import/Export, Accompany to Hunt, Rainbow Trout Pond or Scientific Collection (Fish) permits, do not use
the General Application form. See the Permit & Authorization Service Bureau website for the appropriate application form
instead.
This is an application for: (check the appropriate box)
New Permit (you have never had a permit for this activity)
Renewal (you have had a permit for this activity before)

Previous Permit # ________________
APPLICANT:
Legal Last Name:
Garner _____________ Legal First Name: Jocelyn _______________ Legal Middle Initial: L ____
Organization (if applicable): Thompson Rivers University ___________________________________________________
Name of Contact Person (if different from Applicant): ______________________________________________________
Street or PO Box: P.O. Box 31________________________________________________________________________
City or Town: Lac La Hache ____________ Postal Code: V0K 1T0 ___ E-mail: jocelyn_garner@hotmail.com _______
Phone (day): 403-431-3693 _____________ Fax: _____________________ Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY): 11/27/1983 ___
PROPOSED ACTIVITY:
Wildlife species (common & scientific names): Great Basin Spadefoot (Spea intermontana) _______________________
Location of Activity:
70 Mile House , M.U.- 3:30, 3:31, 5:01 _______________________________________________
Start Date of Activity: May 2009 ____________________ End Date of Activity: August 2011 ______________________
Provide a detailed description of the activity you require a permit for. Include methods and equipment to be used. If
your activity involves the capture, transport, possession, release or export of live animals or viable eggs, you must also
include a detailed safety plan that explains the measures you will take to ensure that public safety will be protected. (For
example, how would you prevent escapes?) In your own words, also describe the purpose of this activity and any special
circumstances the Ministry should be aware of.
The Great Basin Spadefoot (Spea intermontana) is listed as threatened by COSEWIC and is Blue-listed in British
Columbia. It is typically associated with dry arid grasslands of the south-central valleys, ranging from the Canada-US
border up through the interior of BC. In the last few years, auditory surveys have confirmed 90+ spadefoots ponds in the
South Cariboo region, which is the northern extent of their range. Aside from their presence during the breeding season
there is little to no knowledge of the ecology of spadefoots in this area. The main objectives of this project are:
1. To collect information from the ponds in order to characterize those that support successful breeding, tadpole
development and dispersal.
2. To determine upland (=away from water) habitat use by tracking the movements of adults leaving the breeding
ponds using radio-telemetry.
3. To collect DNA samples from tadpoles that will be used in a province-wide study to determine connectivity
between populations.
Identifying the key characteristics of successful breeding ponds will enable us to identify and protect known and potential
spadefoot ponds within their species range in BC. The information obtained from DNA analysis of tadpole tail clippings will
determine the extent of connectivity between the northern populations and those found further south. Preliminary work
has shown that connectivity is limited, however, this study will close the gaps by obtaining DNA from areas not previously
sampled.
Tadpoles will be captured using floating-funnel traps or dipnets. The construction of our floating-funnel traps will be similar
to a common minnow trap (a container that is closed at one end with an inward funnel shaped opening at the other end, or
with funnel openings at both ends) with the addition of a small floating platform inside the trap to provide a raft for any
NOTE: Permits cannot be issued for activities that are contrary to the proper management of wildlife in B.C. (Permit Regulation, B.C. Reg. 253/2000, s. 5)
For further information:
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/pasb/
Victoria 952-0932; Elsewhere in B.C. 1-866-433-7272
December 2, 2008
Wildlife Act of British Columbia
GENERAL PERMIT APPLICATION
Please complete all sections of this form. Type or print legibly. Attach additional sheets as needed.
captured adults. These traps will be supported by floating 2x4” wood pieces. Swimming animals will be directed into the
traps by mesh stapled onto the floating wood pieces that extends about 10cm above and 30cm below the water surface.
The traps will be checked at least every 36-48 hours. To capture tadpoles using dipnets we will periodically sweep the
shoreline waters with the dipnet. Any captured individuals will be transferred to a holding bucket filled with pond water. We
will quickly identify the tadpole’s stage of development using a simplified Gosner development index (Gosner, 1960) and
collect DNA samples by collecting the distal end of the tadpole tail. This sample will be taken using a sterilized scalpel or
scissors and placed into sample tubes containing storage buffer (procedure obtained from M. Russello, UBCO). After data
has been acquired the tadpoles will be returned to the pond in the location they were caught.
The telemetry portion of this study will provide information on the type of habitat used by spadefoots (away from breeding
bonds) for foraging, aestivating, hibernating, etc. and will determine if spadefoots are moving between ponds. Almost all
information on habitat use for this species is from populations much further south (in the US) that are exposed to a
dramatically different climate and habitat type. Consequently the timelines, habitat conditions and climatic conditions
stated in the literature for various life stages and activities (breeding, development, hibernation, etc) are not necessarily
applicable to these northern populations.
Various methods to capture adults may be used. The first option is to capture individuals by hand. If this proves
unsuccessful we will use any combination of the following: dipnets, drift fencing with pitfall traps, and floating-funnel traps.
Drift fencing will be constructed using standard procedures (Heyer et al., 1994). Wooden 2x2” stakes will support
hardware cloth fencing that stands approx. 30cm above ground and is buried 5cm into the soil. Pitfall traps will be installed
at the ends of the fencing, and at regular intervals along the fence if longer than 5m. Pitfall traps will consist of a plastic
container (5-10L) sunk into the ground such that the top is flush with the soil. Moss and/or a damp sponge will be placed
into traps to provide moisture and cover. A stick that extends up to ground level will also be placed in the traps to allow
escape for any small mammals captured. Wooden cover boards raised off the ground will be placed over the traps for
cover from rainfall and sun. The traps will be checked at least every 36-48 hours, more often if the weather is warm and
dry. All fences will be removed once metamorph dispersal from ponds has ceased (as indicated by the absence of
tadpoles from ponds) and/or adults have moved to upland areas (when no animals have been caught in the traps for 7
consecutive days).
Individuals captured in the above mentioned traps will be weighed using a Pesola spring scale, measured using a clear
plastic ruler and photographed. Metamorphs (juveniles) will be released on the other side of the fence after data is
recorded. Adult individuals weighing more than 17g are suitable to be fitted with transmitters (0.82g), as the
transmitter/belt package must be less or equal to 5% of body weight. The transmitters will be attached using a belt
design. Preliminary studies of various belting techniques and materials (plastic tubing, silk, Steri-wrap®) on captive
spadefoots have been conducted at Thompson Rivers University. From this work, we have determined that Steri-wrap®
provides the best results (no abrasions present after two months of lab trials) and we will be using this material and
technique in the field. The belt will be secured around the animal’s waist such that the transmitter sits on top of the pelvis.
Adults will be fitted with the transmitter and belt in a quick and efficient manner and released at the site of capture. These
animals will be located every 24 to 48 hours and visual contact will be made providing that unnecessary disturbance is not
caused to the animal. The animal will be briefly captured once every 10 days to inspect for injuries and to be weighed.
After approximately 3 weeks with the transmitter the animal will be captured for inspection and will be refitted with a new
transmitter (battery life is approximately 3 weeks). Animals with skin abrasions or that have lost a more than 15% of body
mass will not be refitted with transmitters. We have chosen 15% as our cut-off point as fluctuations of up to 10% body
mass are not uncommon, even in healthy lab animals not fitted with transmitters.
The results from this study will be used in developing local and regional management plans and policy for this species.
The majority (over 90%) of our study area is comprised of contiguous Crown land; therefore government can have a huge
influence on management and conservation efforts. Wildlife Habitat Areas (WHAs) will be proposed for those areas found
to contain active spadefoot populations. These areas must encompass habitat used over the entire amphibian life cycle,
including areas for foraging, breeding, aestivating, over-wintering and migrating. It is important to determine the range of
these animals in order to propose a WHA that will prove effective in conservation of the population.
In addition to my partnership with the Ministry of Environment, I will be partnering with the Grassland Conservation
Council (GCC) of BC. The GCC is working on a Priority Grasslands Initiative project that identifies the highest priority
NOTE: Permits cannot be issued for activities that are contrary to the proper management of wildlife in B.C. (Permit Regulation, B.C. Reg. 253/2000, s. 5)
For further information:
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/pasb/
Victoria 952-0932; Elsewhere in B.C. 1-866-433-7272
December 2, 2008
Wildlife Act of British Columbia
GENERAL PERMIT APPLICATION
Please complete all sections of this form. Type or print legibly. Attach additional sheets as needed.
grasslands in BC and provides a scientific basis for planning and decision-making in such areas. A major factor for
determining a high priority area is the presence, distribution, and abundance of species at risk habitat. The data on
spadefoot wetland and upland habitat area gathered during this study will refine the GCC’s Spadefoot Habitat Prediction
Model. The information contained in this model will be used as support of the Ministry of Environment inventory surveys,
as input into the Priority Grasslands Analysis for the Cariboo region and for urban planning around sensitive habitat in the
context of the GCC’s Ecological Assessment Methodology. Habitat conditions and water quality data will be used in the
GCC’s management recommendations to partners such as the Ministry of Forests and Range and the ranching industry.
Primary Project Investigator:
Jocelyn Garner- MSc student, Thompson Rivers University
Additional Project Investigators:
Roger Packham (R.P. Bio.)- Senior Ecosystems Biologist, Ministry of Environment
Jonquil Crosby- Research Assistant, British Columbia Conservation Corps
Michael Packham- Research Assistant, British Columbia Conservation Corps
Karl Larsen (Ph.D)- Associate Professor, Wildlife Ecology and Management, Thompson Rivers University
Francis Iredale (R.P. Bio.)- Wildlife Biologist, Ministry of Environment
Reference: Gosner, KL. 1960. A simplified table for staging anuran embryos and larvae with notes on identification.
Herpetologica 16:183-19.
Heyer, R. et al. Measuring and Monitoring Biological Diversity: Standard Methods for Amphibians. Smithsonian Institution
Press. Washington.
ADDITIONAL PERMIT-SPECIFIC INFORMATION (SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS):
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
- Animal Care Form, Map of Location __________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
FEES AND PERMIT TYPE:
Permit Type: (list all permit activity codes that apply - see website for list) 2(c)(i) _________________________________
Fee enclosed: $ ___________ if choosing multiple permit codes, enclose payment for the highest priced permit activity.
Method of Payment: Cheque/Money Order
Credit Card (Visa/MasterCard)
Cash/Debit
Payable to Minister of Finance
(attach credit card authorization sheet)
at Service BC – Government Agent Only
at FrontCounter BC office
NOTE: Permits cannot be issued for activities that are contrary to the proper management of wildlife in B.C. (Permit Regulation, B.C. Reg. 253/2000, s. 5)
For further information:
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/pasb/
Victoria 952-0932; Elsewhere in B.C. 1-866-433-7272
December 2, 2008
Wildlife Act of British Columbia
GENERAL PERMIT APPLICATION
Please complete all sections of this form. Type or print legibly. Attach additional sheets as needed.
The information required by this form and any documents you provide with it are collected under the authority of the
Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to process your permit application under the Wildlife Act. This
information will be used to verify your eligibility for the permit you are seeking and for other purposes related to the
administration of the Wildlife Act. If you have any questions about the collection or use of this information, contact the
Director of Wildlife.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
By signing below, I acknowledge that the information I have provided is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and I am 19 years
of age or older.
______________________________________________
Signature of Applicant
_____________________________________________
Date of Application
It is an offence to knowingly make a false statement in order to obtain a permit. Violations may result in prosecution under the Wildlife Act
and/or refusal of future permit requests. Any permit obtained using false information is invalid.
Incomplete applications may delay processing time for a permit. Resubmitted applications
are processed in resubmitted date order.
PLEASE FORWARD MY PERMIT TO:
Address: (as above): or
Mail to:
or Fax: _______________________________________ or E-mail: jocelyn_garner@hotmail.com __________________
(your e-mail address or location of Government Agent/FrontCounter BC office to be picked up at)
Please send completed application, fees and any supporting documents to the Permit and Authorization Service
Bureau at one of the following:
By Mail:
By Courier:
By Fax:
PO Box 9372 STN PROV GOVT, Victoria BC, V8W 9M3
301 – 710 Redbrick Street, Victoria BC, V8W 9M3
(250) 952-4344 or through any Service BC - Government Agent Office
or through any FrontCounter BC Office
WARNING
Failure to pay fine
85 (1) This section applies if a person
a)
fails to pay, within the time required by law, a fine imposed as a result of the person’s conviction for an offence under this Act or the Firearm Act, and
b)
has been served with notice of this section.
(2) In the circumstances referred to in subsection (1),
a)
the person’s right to apply for or obtain a licence, permit or limited entry hunting authorization under this Act is suspended immediately and automatically on
the failure to pay the fine,
b)
all licences, permits and limited entry hunting authorizations issued to that person under this Act are cancelled immediately and automatically on the failure to
pay the fine, and
c)
the person commits an offence if, before that fine is paid, the person
(i)
applies for, or in any way obtains, a licence, permit or limited entry hunting authorization under this Act, or
(ii)
does anything for which a licence, permit or limited entry hunting authorization under this Act is required.
NOTE: Permits cannot be issued for activities that are contrary to the proper management of wildlife in B.C. (Permit Regulation, B.C. Reg. 253/2000, s. 5)
For further information:
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/pasb/
Victoria 952-0932; Elsewhere in B.C. 1-866-433-7272
December 2, 2008