Fate of 21 Endangered Species Tied to that of Mountain Caribou

June 4th 2007

For Immediate Release: June 5, 2007
Contact: Candace Batycki, (250) 352-3830, cell (604) 219-7457, candace@forestethics.org

New study reveals range overlap of endangered species – Findings raise stakes for anticipated provincial recovery announcement – Government urged to protect habitat VANCOUVER – British Columbia's endangered mountain caribou shares its range with at least 21 other at-risk species, including wolverine, grizzly bear, peregrine falcon, cut-throat trout and a host of rare insects, according to a new study commissioned by environmental watchdog group ForestEthics.

The range overlap assessment of at-risk species, titled Connected to Caribou, comes at a time when the provincial government is poised to make a major announcement on mountain caribou recovery, including a pivotal decision on how much habitat to protect.

“This raises the stakes for successful mountain caribou recovery,” says Candace Batycki, Endangered Forests Program Director for ForestEthics. “When you see how these species populations overlap, you realize just how significant this conservation opportunity is. What we achieve for the caribou is going to benefit all 21 at-risk species.”

The government’s mountain caribou science team has identified six million hectares of mountain caribou habitat, most of which is currently unprotected. A draft recovery plan, released for public comment in January, was widely criticized for falling short of what the science team said was necessary to restore the herds to self-sustaining status.
“This study confirms, more than ever, the need for the government's decision to truly reflect the science as well as public opinion,” says Batycki, pointing to a poll earlier this year that found 86% of British Columbians support caribou habitat protection. “The future of mountain caribou and an additional 21 at-risk species are at stake.”

The study looked only at mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, gastropods and insects. The study notes that analysis of plants and ecosystems at-risk would very likely result in a longer list of overlapping species-at-risk.