Introduction

Seismic cutlines have been present on Alberta's Landscape for decades. The cutlines are an important factor in Alberta's oil and gas industry, being the only way to locate oil for drilling extraction or in-situ. Originally, the cutlines created were very wide, ran in a straight line, and spanned 300-500 meters (Martin, R., 2018). In recent years, seismic lines have changed to be smaller in width and no longer run in a straight line. Instead, they have small bends to break up line of site. This has been changed in an attempt to help reduce wolf predation on large ungulate species, specifically caribou. Wolves are known to use the cutlines to make predation easier, using the long line of site to spot prey. This is important because large ungulate species, especially Woodland Caribou, have seen a decrease in population with some herds facing extirpation. In Alberta, Woodland Caribou are listed as threatened by the ESCC (Endangered Species Conservation Committee) (Alberta Government, 2016). Caribou populations have naturally fluctuated, but there is now concern that their numbers will not rise again due to climate change, human presence, and continuing industrial development (Festa-Bianchet, M. et al, 2011).