E63: Wildlife Analytics Lab – Lethbridge Polytechnic's hub of innovation and collaborative conservation

The only of its kind in Canada, the Wildlife Analytics Lab (WAL) specializes in wildlife cementum (mineralized tissue covering tooth roots) analysis. Through this process, technicians can determine wildlife age and life history to better inform resource conservation practices.

WAL has numerous implications for transformational research (including becoming the new standard for aging wildlife), and fruitful collaborations with multiple stakeholders (including government, industry experts, and organizations).

Kelsey and Marcela share how this lab gave them (as former students) invaluable Work-Integrated Learning experiences that helped them transition to their exciting new careers at the polytechnic.

During the show, host (Donna) and guest mention: 

• WAL – Wildlife Analytics Laboratory at the polytechnic
• Ohkotoki’aahkkoiyiiniimaan (Stone Pipe): Lethbridge Polytechnic's Blackfoot name
• Lethbridge Polytechnic 360 virtual tour
  • Cousins Science Centre
• Alberta Ministries:
  • Advanced Education 
  • Forestry and Parks
  • Environment and Protected Areas
  • Fishing, hunting and trapping regulations
• Dispersed/Distributed leadership: sharing leadership responsibilities across a group of people, where multiple individuals work together, make decisions, and take responsibility for achieving common goals.
• WIL – Work-Integrated Learning 
• Lethbridge Polytechnic programs and courses: 
  • Technology and Engineering 
    • Computer Information Technology
  • Environmental Science 
    • Ecosystem Management - Bachelor of
    • Renewable Resource Management
    • Principles of Wildlife Biology (course)
    • Wildlife Field Techniques (course)
  • LC Extension
  • Business Administration
  • Digital Communications and Media
    • Introduction to Marketing (course)
  • Health and Wellness
  • Culinary 
  • University of Lethbridge 
    • Co-operative Education 
• APOS – Alberta Professional Outfitters Society 
• DAO – Delegated Administrative Organization 
• Jason Donkersgoed: Director of LC Extension 
• Chronic Wasting Disease 
• Hubbard Collection 
• NSERC – National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada 
• SSHRC – Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council 
• OHMT – One Health Medical Technologies 
• Fieldlab Films
• Wildlife Forensics & Fish Health Lab (State of Wyoming) 
• ENGO – Environmental non-governmental organization
• CFI (in genetics): complement factor I 
• Lethbridge Polytechnic Development Office 
• WAL Instructional extraction video (content warning: this video shows how to extract a tooth from an animal carcass and may be upsetting to some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised) 
• For a tour of the Wildlife Analytics Lab, email: wildlife_analytics_lab@lethpolytech.ca 
• Check out the Wildlife Analytics Lab on Instagram 
•  Ponderosa Environmental Consulting Inc (Everett's consulting business)
• Kelsey created the photo below to illustrate how similar tree rings are to teeth rings in determining age. Check it out👇🏼