Caribou are an important…

Caribou are an important species within Ontario. They help indicate a healthy ecosystem and form part of the natural balance. Having worked and enjoyed the outdoors in various locations within Northern Ontario, I have observed these animals in a variety of habitats and locations, cut overs, standing timber and on islands to mention a few. I have been fortunate to observe them northwest of Red Lake, north of Ear Falls, between Geraldton and Nakina and around Lake Nipigon. They truly have a vast range. A Conservation Agreement with Ontario will help to ensure the Caribous success well into the future for other generations to enjoy.

An important part of ensuring the future of Caribou is to improve our knowledge of these animals and better manage them with scientifically based data. Further to this, it is important that any funding available be maximized to further our understanding and enhance previous research. Joint efforts between the knowledge base of the private and public sector would be beneficial to these studies and future sustainability of Caribou.

An important part of this research and science is to clearly define current Caribou ranges. The science indicates that global warming will change our landscape and vegetation making it vitally important that current and northerly Caribou ranges are identified with scientifically backed data. Attempting to expand Caribou ranges south while their food source and predators naturally proceed north with global warming does not appear to be a pro-active approach to ensure the success of Caribou.

Ontario has been active to set aside vast areas of land such as Parks in part for the protection of Caribou. While Parks may provide some success in promoting the future health of Caribou, other wildlife species and recreational opportunities. The continually improving success of Ontario’s Forest Fire prevention methods are also hindering the benefit of Parks for Caribou and other wildlife. As natural disturbance patterns from fire are interrupted by fire prevention. These Parks and large tracts of land within them begin to have less diversity and a reduced carrying capacity for many wildlife species including Caribou.
Reviewing the science of the natural disturbances in Ontario is important to ensure past scientific practices and guidelines are meeting current changing environment conditions, natural disturbances and now lack there of through fire prevention.
Implementing a bilateral conversation agreement for Caribou under section 11 will be a step in the right direction to ensure this species success and address many other land management and socio-economic issues within Ontario.