Manitoba Moose and Bats in trouble
The health of wildlife and biodiversity is uneven in Canada’s national and provincial parks, says a new report prepared by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS).
In some cases species are at risk of dying out and biodiversity is faltering because habitat has not been adequately protected. In others, good progress has been made to protect wildlife.
The review “How is Wildlife faring in Canada’s Parks?” makes the case that parks are a cornerstone of Canada’s efforts to protect biodiversity – the variety of flora and fauna that make up an ecosystem. However, it notes that bigger, better managed parks, and more of them, are needed if parks are to fulfill their critical role in protecting Canada’s wildlife.
CPAWS prepared its third annual review of parks to mark Canada Parks Day, July 17. The organization focused on biodiversity this year because the United Nations has declared 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity.
“Strengthening our parks system is a key component in protecting out treasured wildlife,” says Ron Thiessen, Executive Director of CPAWS Manitoba.
Large parks protect species
There are 500 species in Canada at risk of extinction and more at-risk species are identified every year.
“Canada has one of the best opportunities in the world to create large parks that protect species that need vast wilderness to survive,” said Thiessen.
CPAWS prescribes a range of measures, including:
- Creating new parks and expanding existing park boundaries;
- Maintaining and restoring wildlife movement corridors (so that wildlife have the large ranges they often need);
- Restricting roads and other damaging developments;
- Limiting recreational activities; and
- Practicing good park management focused on healthy ecosystems as a first priority.
Species struggle without adequate parks, good management
Among the good news stories highlighted in the report, where parks help protect vulnerable species, are the Ipswich savannah sparrow of Sable Island, the black dogfish of the Laurentian Channel of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and the eastern wolf of Algonquin Park.
In Manitoba, moose need help in Nopiming provincial park. A moose hunting ban was recently put in place but a comprehensive plan needs to be designed to ensure their healthy future.
Little brown bats in Manitoba are in trouble and require habitat protection. The proposed Fisher Bay provincial park on the south basin of Lake Winnipeg set to be established this October could be a big part of the solution. At issue are the boundaries for the upcoming park. The concern is that politics may trump sound ecological-based boundaries.
“The International Year of Biodiversity is a good reminder that we need to focus on establishing new parks and properly managing existing parks to ensure our wildlife remains a healthy part of Canada’s landscape,” Thiessen asserted.
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Contact :
Ron Thiessen
Executive Director
CPAWS Manitoba
(204) 794 4971
ron@cpawsmb.org
