Caribou

The 2024 Collaboration with Wildlife Preservation Canada

In a collaboration to bring awareness to Canada’s species at risk, Wildlife Preservation Canada and signature member of Artists for Conservation Sarah McComb Turbitt created a challenge for Sarah to paint as many endangered Canadian species as she can during January 2024. In this collection, 15% will be donated to WPC. WPC saves critically endangered species whose numbers in the wild are so low that hands-on action is the last defence to save them from extinction. WPC is the only organization in Canada to provide this critical need for wildlife in recovery efforts across the country, from the single population of endangered frogs in BC to the disappearing pollinators across Ontario.

“Caribou – sometimes called reindeer in Europe – are members of the deer family. They are generally larger than deer but smaller than moose, and they have thick coats that help them live in cold and snowy environments. Their unique hooves help them walk through deep snow and on soft ground. Every fall, their hooves grow sharp edges to let them break through ice in search of food. Unlike other deer family members, male and female caribou can grow antlers. All caribou belong to a single species despite having different appearances, behaviours, and habitats across their distribution. Indigenous peoples know caribou by many different names that acknowledge these differences. Under the Species at Risk Act (SARA), there are three subspecies of caribou that live in Canada: Peary caribou, barren-ground caribou, and woodland caribou.” Learn more at canada.ca - Species at Risk

Reference photography for inspiration was kindly provided by Margaret Strickland.

All original artwork is hand-signed by Sarah McComb-Turbitt and includes a certificate of authenticity and white cotton gloves for handling the painting upon delivery.