AWA News Release: Impending Alberta Energy Leasing in Endangered Mountain Caribou Habitat Counter to New Federal Recovery Strategy

The federal southern mountain caribou recovery strategy finalized yesterday sets a goal to increase all populations, maintain current distribution and restore habitat in core and buffer areas in and around ranges. The strategy confirms that Alberta’s upcoming new energy lease sales of 900 hectares in June and July (and sales of 1000 hectares in May) allowing more surface disturbance in crucial caribou winter range will further undermine survival of its endangered caribou. Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) calls on the Alberta government to stop energy leasing, including the 500 hectares planned for sale June 11, until range action plans are developed to ensure the recovery of these mountain caribou…