AWA News Release: Today’s Alberta Sales of Endangered Caribou Habitat Ignore Public Opposition and Science

Despite opposition from Alberta’s three main opposition parties, two major daily newspapers, and major hunting and wilderness organizations, more endangered caribou habitat will be auctioned today by the Alberta government for new oil and gas leases. The leases in 264 hectares of endangered mountain caribou range in west central Alberta and 264 hectares of threatened boreal caribou range in northeast Alberta allow new surface disturbance, making survival chances even worse for the caribou. The Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) asks for a halt to new energy leasing in endangered caribou ranges until effective rules to protect the herds are in place.