Manitoba recognizes three varieties of caribou: coastal,
barren ground and boreal woodland.
The two coastal herds of woodland caribou occur in Manitoba
adjacent to Hudson Bay. Although current population estimates
are not available, the Pen Island herd was recently estimated
at 10,000 animals and the second herd between the Churchill
and Nelson Rivers was estimated at 5,000 animals. Animals
in these herds are lighter in colour and, much like barren
ground caribou, occur in large wandering herds. Licensed
hunting is permitted on both of these herds but the licenses
are limited and because of the inaccessible areas inhabited
by them, the harvest is small.
The boreal woodland caribou occur in a broad geographic
range across the boreal forest region of central Manitoba.
These caribou are widely dispersed in the boreal zone from
approximately the Black Lake area in the southeast to the
Lynn Lake area in the northwest.
Where available, Manitoba Conservation has used radio
telemetry data to identify 10 distinct areas that are used
by local herds. Some herds move substantial distances and
use different parts of their home range on a seasonal basis.
Others are more sedentary. Many on the east side of Lake
Winnipeg move to the lowland string bogs adjacent to Lake
Winnipeg in winter, and in summer, migrate east to the lakes
of the boreal region with some going into Ontario.
The current estimated population ranges from about 1,800
to 3,150. It is believed that the provincial population
is stable. In western Canada, boreal woodland caribou are
listed as "threatened" by the Committee
on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC).
Manitoba’s boreal woodland caribou populations
were listed as threatened under The
Endangered Species Act in June, 2006.
Caribou habitats east of Lake Winnipeg, and those near
Wabowden and the Kississing and Naosap areas in the northwest,
are impacted by logging and loss of habitats due to wildfire.
Roads and rights-of-way development facilitate the movement
of predators and increase the potential for human disturbance,
which can impact caribou on these ranges. Recreational development
in southeastern Manitoba has applied similar pressures through
increased access, service line development and higher levels
of human activity.
Nevertheless, boreal woodland caribou continue to use traditional areas. Management efforts are directed at ensuring that boreal woodland caribou remain part of the wildlife mosaic in Manitoba for centuries to come. Currently there are boreal woodland caribou management teams in place in both the eastern and northwest regions of Manitoba Conservation and are comprised of First Nations, industry, local wildlife associations, various government departments, the Manitoba Model Forest and Manitoba Hydro.
Manitoba has released a document entitled "Manitoba's Conservation
and Recovery Strategy for Boreal Woodland Caribou". You
can download a PDF of this strategy, in English(673 KB) or French (592 KB) to view and/or print it.
This strategy sets the goals and objectives for this
species in Manitoba and will be followed by action plans
for those ranges which are currently considered 'high
risk".
The public are encouraged to provide comments on this
strategy which will be considered for inclusion when the
document is updated. Provide your comments by email
or mail to: Manitoba Conservation and Recovery Strategy
for Boreal Woodland Caribou, Wildlife and Ecosystem Protection
Branch, Box 24, 200 Saulteaux Crescent, Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3J 3W3.
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