Habitat loss is the main reason for the mountain caribou’s decline. (Patrice Halley)
they said it
"Current science suggests that if older forests continue to be fragmented and mountain caribou continue to be lost to predators, the final opportunity to restore mountain caribou in the province will soon be lost."
BC Forest Practices Board 2004
"If you don’t try, what do you tell your grandkids? It was an endangered species, and we didn’t attempt to recover it?"
Leo DeGroot, Wildlife Biologist, BC Ministry of Environment, in Look Magazine, August 2006
Wanted: Leadership
Future of Mountain Caribou Rests in Government’s Hands
For centuries, mountain caribou have lived and flourished in large tracts of oldgrowth forests that were largely undisturbed by human development. Decades of logging, road-building and flooding from dams have had drastic impacts on mountain caribou. But where habitat has been protected from logging and recreation impacts, or herds have received short-term transplants from healthier herds, mountain caribou numbers have increased or stabilized.
Protecting BC’s endangered species and their habitats is good for our society, our economy, and our environment. BC’s "Super, Natural" wildlife is the envy of much of the world, and is the basis for our tourism industry. Studies show that where wildlife habitat is protected, economies are strong and diversified. A clean, healthy environment attracts investment, a well-educated varied work force, and a diverse economic base because it guarantees quality of life — a priceless "second paycheque" in the form of clean air, water, and globally unique wilderness and wildlife values.
The BC government has the opportunity to do the right thing for mountain caribou. What’s good for mountain caribou and inland temperate rainforest wildlife is good for people. Forests healthy enough to support caribou protect water quality, fisheries, recreational opportunities and spiritual values.
Mountain caribou — what story will we tell? (Patrice Halley)
The BC government’s Species At Risk Coordination Office has been working for almost two years now to "fast-track" mountain caribou recovery. During these two years very little has happened on the ground to protect mountain caribou habitat, while logging activity has continued. The government has now received detailed recommendations from its mountain caribou science panel. The time for "talk and log" is over.
The BC government must move immediately to recover all mountain caribou herds across their range. This can only be accomplished by protecting, restoring and reconnecting critical mountain caribou habitat, and by establishing enforceable standards for motorized recreation and commercial recreation tenures. Smaller herds may need to have additional animals brought in from healthier herds. And predator management, a very controversial activity, should only take place where adequate habitat is protected, and even then only with full cconsideration of all impacts.
Your actions can help ensure that mountain caribou and the inland temperate rainforest’s web of life, including clean air and water, are around for our children and grandchildren to appreciate. Join us in taking action now!
