| 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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