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# Fact Sheets ### Woodland Caribou | Provincial Range Map | Quick Access - Species At Risk - Biodiversity Conservation - Monitoring - Habitat Management - Game Species Management Fact Sheets Baird's Sparrow Black Bear Burrowing Owl Elk Ferruginous Hawk Gray (Timber) Wolf Loggerhead Shrike Moose Peregrine Falcon Piping Plover Polar Bear Red-sided Garter Snake Small White Lady's Slipper Western Prairie Fringed Orchid Western Spiderwort White-tailed Deer Woodland Caribou
Manitoba recognizes two varieties of woodland caribou in a total of 16 herds: 14 herds in the boreal forest region and two herds in the coastal region of Hudson Bay. The 14 distinct herds of the boreal forest are widely dispersed from the Bird River in the southeast to Lynn Lake in the northwest. These herds use different parts of their home range on a seasonal basis. For example, herds east of Lake Winnipeg winter in the string bogs adjacent to Lake Winnipeg and migrate east to the lakes of the boreal shield for the summer period. Between 2,000 and 2,500 woodland caribou form these 14 smaller herds. Information available suggests that the woodland caribou population in Manitoba is holding its own. In western Canada, the woodland caribou is listed as "Vulnerable" by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). The two coastal herds of woodland caribou occur in Manitoba near Hudson Bay. Both populations have steadily increased over the past 20 years. The Pen Island herd numbers about 10,000 animals and ranges eastward from the Nelson River into Ontario. A second herd, found between the Churchill and Nelson rivers, has an estimated 5,000 animals. Caribou in these two herds are lighter in colour and, much like barren-ground caribou, occur in large wandering herds. Hunting is permitted on these herds, but the number of licences is limited. Caribou habitats on the east side of Lake Winnipeg, and those near Wabowden and Kississing-Naosap lakes areas in the northwest are impacted by forest harvesting operations and the loss of habitat due to forest fires. Road and rights-of-way developments associated with development activities facilitate the movement of predators and increase human disturbances in parts of the woodland caribou range. Recreational development, primarily in southeastern Manitoba, has applied similar pressures through increased access, service line development and higher levels of human activity. Caribou continue to use traditional areas despite these activities which can be partially attributed to efforts aimed at mitigating any negative effects. A radio-telemetry monitoring project on the Wabowden herd was initiated in 1996 by Manitoba Conservation through the University of Saskatchewan. Also, several animals in the Kississing-Naosap herd have been radio-collared in an effort to determine annual home ranges and core use areas. A woodland caribou management team was created through the auspices of the Manitoba Model Forest, and consists of representatives from Manitoba Conservation, Tembec Manitoba Inc., and non-government organizations. The team developed an integrated woodland caribou forestry management plan which has been incorporated into operational cutting plans. This integration is intended to minimize impacts on caribou. Similar plans will be developed in other areas where forest harvest will occur in the future. A provincial woodland caribou management strategy has been developed and is the basis for management programs in the province.
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