WINNIPEG -- The Wilderness Committee is raising the alarm about conflicting funding initiatives highlighted in today's provincial budget, as $1.5 million in mining exploration that impacts moose populations is being funded alongside an $800,000 moose recovery strategy.

“This is a simple conflict,” said Eric Reder, Campaign Director for the Wilderness Committee. “The Conservation department is spending money, desperately trying to limit linear disturbances to protect moose populations. At the same time, mining exploration is creating new linear disturbances that will impact moose. And the government is paying for the mining exploration, even inside our provincial parks.”  

The Conservation department is attempting to limit the number of linear disturbances in moose habitat to increase moose populations, in part to limit the changes to the predator-prey relationship. Wolves, a major predator for moose, use the corridors to more easily hunt moose in deep snow conditions. Mining exploration, most often done in winter, creates linear corridors that benefit predators.

“We need to have the impact of mining exploration roads investigated before it's approved. And we have to stop allowing mining exploration inside our provincial parks.”

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For more information, contact Eric Reder (204) 997-8584.