The Wilderness Committee is calling on the Manitoba government to give woodland caribou a protected home this winter.

Referred to as the cousins of reindeer, the committee says the species is protected under both federal and provincial endangered species legislation, but action to preserve them has been slow.

“Images of reindeer and snowy evergreens are a memorable part of our seasonal celebrations. It’s time to care for the reindeer cousins right here in Manitoba — the woodland caribou,” said Eric Reder, Manitoba campaign director for the Wilderness Committee.

Logging, mining and linear disturbances such as roads often put stress on caribou.

“We have a simple step for Manitobans to take this holiday season: tell the provincial government to establish a new protected forest for the Owl-Flintstone caribou,” added Reder.”

“Caribou need large, intact stretches of boreal forest. If they don’t get that, they don’t thrive and likely won’t survive.”

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Photo: Caribou. Sandy Brown Jensen via Flickr.