The situation is much worse for caribou in Ontario than what was thought, according to a study released this week by CPAWS Wildlands League. Seven out of nine caribou populations are so highly disrupted and fragmented by clearcuts, roads and fire that they are on the verge of collapse.

The situation is equally dire for many other boreal caribou herds across the country. Half of the historic range of caribou has been lost, and only 17 of 60 caribou ranges are considered to be self-sustaining. To protect caribou, we need to ensure that large tracts of boreal habitat are safeguareded across the country.

Not only is this needed to conserve caribou, but it would also be much needed action for the countless other species that depend on the boreal forest along with caribou – including the millions of songbirds that breed in the boreal every summer.