What's happening:
After 10 years, the Alberta government’s new land use planning process has opened the door to new protected areas that could help the province’s highly endangered Boreal woodland caribou to survive.
The first plan is for the oil sands region of north eastern Alberta: an area called the Lower Athabasca. In the past, caribou in this area have flourished, but now, oil sands development is destroying their home.
CPAWS is asking that at least 50% of the region be protected from industrial use. If this protection includes important caribou range, the East Athabasca herds have a chance for survival.
In other regions, the Alberta government has adopted the Action Plan for West-Central Alberta Caribou Recovery 2009. This plan impacts the Rocky Mountain Foothills caribou herds such as the Little Smoky herd. Sadly, it will not improve habitat because it does not protect against industrial use. While the plan requires industry to restore caribou habitat, restoration will not benefit caribou until 80 years later, when the forest is again old enough to support them. Meanwhile, continued logging and petroleum development negatively impact caribou and their habitat immediately.
The Solution:
The only way to ensure caribou habitat recovery in Alberta caribou ranges, is to stop new industrial use and restore areas previously impacted by industry as quickly as possible.
CPAWS is asking the Alberta Government to:
- Ensure at least 50% of the Lower Athabasca region is protected from industrial use and ensure it includes critical habitat for woodland caribou
- Immediately halt new industrial development in caribou range until adequate habitat protection is in place and herds are recovering
Links and Resources
- Alberta Caribou
- Little Smoky caribou herd
- Athabasca caribou herds
- West Central Action Plan
- Alberta Woodland Caribou Recovery Plan
April 2009: Critical habitat identified in Alberta
News release (PDF)
Backgrounder (PDF)
National Critical Habitat Report
Take action!
Boreal woodland caribou in Alberta are threatened.
Protect critical caribou habitat and pristine wilderness in northeastern Alberta:sign the Athabasca Heartland petition.
Local news
Critical habitat for Woodland Caribou
Action needed for survival
Improve habitatMaintain habitat
Disturbance possible
Identification of local populations required
Range of Boreal Woodland caribou
Boreal region of Canada
Snapshot
There are 13 populations remaining in the province, most are in decline and several are at immediate risk of extirpation.
Habitat protected:
14%
Original habitat remaining:
60%
Provincial protection:
Woodland Caribou in Alberta are on the verge of extinction. Almost all caribou ranges in Alberta will no longer sustain caribou because there continues to be far too much industrial use. Destruction of their range has made the caribou more vulnerable to wolves.