You never know what you’ll find while reclaiming a site—or how precious it might be.
In August 2020, near Throne, Alberta in Paintearth County No. 18, North Shore Environmental Consultants began the task of pumping water out of ditches along an access road, so the road and wellsite could be reclaimed. Just as the pumps were starting up, the team noticed the dark, broad head and slender body of a salamander swimming in the murky water. Knowing the water was critical to the salamander’s survival, they immediately shut down the pumps to investigate further.
Once the team began to look closely, more and more salamanders could be seen at various stages of development, including scores of larvae, which are entirely aquatic. The find was quickly reported to the OWA and North Shore’s biophysical group, who identified the animals as barred tiger salamanders, also known as Ambystoma mavortium. This particular population is listed as Special Concern under the Species at Risk Public Registry, and as Secure under the General Status of Alberta’s Wild Species.
The immediate plans for site reclamation were put on hold. Within days, a relocation plan was developed and approved by the regional Alberta Environment and Parks’ biologist to move the salamanders from two separate ditches to a nearby location that would not be impacted by the reclamation activities. Two biologists completed the relocation project, in which a total of 166 salamanders were safely moved to a water body that was an appropriate habitat with good food sources, approximately 350 metres north.
Thanks to the on-site consultants’ quick actions, this colony—or congress—of salamanders was saved and will continue to thrive. The access road reclamation project was continued after the salamander relocation project was complete, allowing North Shore to successfully reclaim the road and wellsite in the area.