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Manitoba’s woodland caribou populations are being listed as
threatened under the Endangered Species Act to strengthen steps already taken by
the province to protect herds, Conservation Minister Stan Struthers announced
today as part of Environment Week activities.
"Boreal woodland caribou populations appear to be maintaining
themselves in Manitoba but we want to ensure they are given the opportunity to
not only survive but also thrive in our province," said Struthers. "Listing the
animals as threatened under the Endangered Species Act is one more step in a
larger strategy."
A strategy document, released in April of this year entitled
Manitoba’s Conservation and Recovery Strategy for Boreal Woodland Caribou,
outlines objectives and guiding principles to ensure effective management of
habitat and the creation of action plans that will sustain boreal woodland
caribou. Ongoing research will result in the action plans being updated as new
information on this dynamic species comes forward, the minister said.
People from the Opaskwayak, Mosakahikan and Chemawawin Cree
nations, the Brokenhead Objibway, Grand Rapids, Hollow Water, Black River and
Sagkeeng First Nations as well as the Cormorant Resource Management Board are
participating on local caribou committees in the northwest and east side
regions. Various First Nations will also play an important role in the
development of action plans that will stem from the strategy.
During the last five years, more than $1.7 million in support
has been spent on woodland caribou, more resources than on any other species of
conservation concern in Manitoba. Added support was provided in Budget 2006,
which included new money for two biologists for management of species at risk
including the boreal woodland caribou.
Boreal woodland caribou were once found throughout Manitoba’s
boreal forest. Their disappearance from southern parts of their historical range
is attributed to many factors including human activities affecting habitat,
predators, parasites, diseases and uncontrolled hunting.
The current population of boreal woodland caribou in Manitoba
is estimated to be between 1,800 and 3,200 spread across 10 identified ranges in
the boreal lowlands, boreal shield ecozones and in other habitats in central
Manitoba. The area extends from the Black Lake area in the southeast to the Lynn
Lake area in the northwest.
The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in
Canada declared the western Canadian population of boreal woodland caribou as a
vulnerable species in 1984. The Manitoba Endangered Species Advisory Committee
assessed the status of boreal woodland caribou in Manitoba as endangered 1994.
In 2002, the status was reassessed as threatened, excluding coastal populations.
In 2003, the federal government listed boreal woodland caribou as threatened.
"We need to keep in mind the boreal caribou populations when
considering proposed developments which may affect the habitat or health of
caribou herds in the future," said Struthers. "Management efforts are directed
at ensuring that boreal woodland caribou remain in Manitoba for centuries to
come."
Currently, there are boreal woodland caribou management teams
in place in both the eastern and northwestern regions of Manitoba. These teams
are comprised of knowledgeable individuals and include First Nations, industry,
Manitoba Hydro and other interested organizations.
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