Woodland caribou Robert McCaw

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Protect Ontario’s Caribou

In Ontario and nationally, woodland caribou are classified as threatened with extinction. Ontario’s woodland caribou have lost 50% of their historic range since 1880 – a staggering 35,000 square kilometres per decade. If this rate of loss continues, scientists predict that this species may disappear from Ontario by the end of the century. Forest fragmentation and degradation, primarily caused by industrial resource extraction, are the dominant threats to the woodland caribou’s survival.

The fate of woodland caribou matters not only for the species, but for the boreal forest itself. The health of caribou populations is an indicator of overall forest health. By protecting woodland caribou, other wildlife that similarly rely on undisturbed, mature boreal forest ecosystems will also benefit.

How we can best protect caribou

Research indicates that caribou can tolerate disturbance in their range up to a certain threshold. Woodland caribou habitat must be managed so that these thresholds are not crossed.

Ontario Nature is currently undertaking important aerial survey work in the Caribou Forest. We’re working with Earth Rangers to grow support for our efforts through the Save the Real Reindeer campaign.

Check out this video to learn more about this highly successful initiative on behalf of one of Canada's most iconic animals.

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