7 Dec. 2006 - Santa Claus delivered plush caribou toys from the North Pole to MPPs at Queen’s Park today. Santa, accompanied by staff of CPAWS Wildlands League, came to Queen’s Park to sound the alarm about his reindeers’ cousins -- the imperiled Ontario woodland caribou. “I can’t imagine Christmas without reindeer,” Santa said, tugging his beard. “Rudolph will be devastated if his cousins don’t have a home in Ontario anymore.”
Scientists predict woodland caribou will go extinct within the next 80 years if business-as-usual approaches to development continue in Ontario’s boreal forest. CPAWS Wildlands League is asking the Ontario government to act now to protect the habitat of woodland caribou.
The group says the Ontario government must do three things to ensure Ontario has caribou for future generations:
- Implement a conservation-first planning regime in Ontario’s northern boreal region;
- Halt logging in caribou habitat;
- and Pass tough new Endangered Species Legislation.
“Healthy woodland caribou indicate a healthy boreal forest ecosystem,” Anna Baggio, Director, Conservation Land Use Planning, CPAWS Wildlands League said. “It’s as simple as that. So if we want the boreal forest to survive we must protect caribou.” Baggio added. ‘Don’t let another Christmas pass without protection for caribou.’
“HO! HO! HO! Find out which minister has been naughty or nice,” Santa said as he winked and climbed onto his sleigh.
Media
The Sault Star: Woodland caribou activists march on Ontario government
The Guelph Tribune: Art with heart student effort to protect Ontario's caribou