As we have discussed on many occasions on this blog, the future of boreal caribou is in question................The continuation of the species is a simple one,,,,,,,, The less human disturbance of the species' habitat, the more likely it is they will remain viable into the future.........So what constitutes disturbance?............According to research from Environment Canada, the number one threat to the continuation of boreal caribou is habitat alteration as a result of human land-use, which falls above predators, natural habitat alteration and hunting.... The goal of the Canadian Wildlife Service is to create enough human undisturbed continuous habitat so as to have a 60% chance of Caribous survival over the next 100 years.......Scientists feel that this goal can be achieved if 65% of the Caribou boreal habitat is not altered ..........Disturbance in old growth Boreal allows deer and moose to infiltrate into Caribou grazing areas,,,,,which then allows Wolves to follow and decimate the Caribou population.........Wolves eat all three prey species but their "appetite treat" is Caribou

A map showing the critical areas for boreal caribou population.

       

THE FUTURE OF BOREAL CARIBOU IS AT STAKE

By Erin Steele

 

Because the boreal caribou now fall under the federal Species at Risk Act, wildlife biologists from the Canadian Wildlife Services (a division of Environment Canada) are travelling around the country to consult with people on the proposed National Recovery Strategy for Boreal Caribou, which under the Act, must be realized.

Two members of the Canadian Wildlife Service held a meeting at the Sawridge Inn Oct. 5, which about 20 people from Manning, Fairview, Brownvale, Dixonville, Berwyn and Peace River attended.
The sessions are aimed to gain input on the proposed recovery strategy.

According to wildlife biologist Greg Wilson, one of the presenters, the number from Ottawa is to aim to have a 60% chance of caribou survival over a 100-year period. Though with public input, either through the sessions or on-line, this number can be pushed either up or down.

In order to accomplish the goal in the identified critical habitats in Canada (meaning the caribou population in that area is not self-sustaining), 65% of the caribou habitat in that area cannot be disturbed.

In Alberta, one of those critical habitats is around Red Earth. Development that has already occurred on this land would not have to be reversed, as that is currently not considered caribou habitat, but there could be no new development on 65% of the area, should the recovery strategy go through – and more, if the 60% figure is deemed to be too low.

The Species at Risk Act overrides any provincial regulation, and when the caribou strategy is accepted, the Act has veto power over the provinces, which will have no choice but to comply.

Land-use disturbances include oil and gas development, agriculture and farming and logging and clear cutting.

Those who attended the meeting empathized with Environment Canada's findings.
"If I put you out in the open with clothes on, how long are you going to last?" said William Belhomme of Fairview, in reference to clear-cutting.

The boreal caribou like old-growth forests, and need to inhabit them so as to protect themselves from the second greatest risk to species sustainability – predation, mainly from wolves.

The species also spread themselves out and stay away from deer and moose, because, according to Wilson, wolves will eat moose and deer but prefer the meat of caribou.

Once the recovery strategy is completed, it will be divided into action plans, the first which is expected to go into motion in 2013. The entire strategy plan is a 50 to 100 year plan.

According to Wilson, public input is crucial and has to potential to shape the plan before it is made, so visit www.sararegistry.gc.ca to make your feedback part of the discussion.