Beluga whale underwater

Northern species in danger

MiraCPAWS in the News, Hudson Bay, News

The situation in western Hudson Bay is a prime example of why Canada needs to triple ocean habitat protection. Manitoba has lost a third of its polar bear population in the past two decades and beluga whales in western Hudson Bay have been on Canada’s species-at-risk list since 2004.

New conservation trust holds potential

MiraNews

The province will create a $102-million Conservation Trust Fund intended to support the goals and objectives of our provincial climate strategy, particularly those related to conserving ecosystems and using natural solutions — such as restoring wetlands — to improve water quality.

Ottawa and Manitoba join forces to protect bears

MiraNews, Protect Polar Bears

Seal River watershed habitat needs protection

Recently, the Manitoba and federal governments agreed to work together to increase efficiencies and combine efforts to protect polar bears in Manitoba’s north. This is good news, as this will increase the possibilities in saving our world-acclaimed populations.

To help safeguard polar bears and many other species such as caribou and beluga whales, it is critical that we establish areas protected from industrial developments. The largely undisturbed Seal River Watershed, which lies adjacent to the Churchill Wildlife Management Area, provides a sanctuary.

Wolves pack them in

MiraNews

If Volker Beckmann has his way, Thompson will be transformed into the Wolf Capital of Canada. The northern Manitoba city known mostly for mining will host the first International Wolf & Carnivore Conference in October and Beckmann hopes it will help Manitoba turn into a world leader in wolf management. “Wolves should be seen as an ecological and economic asset, similar to the way polar bears and beluga whales are to Churchill,” said Beckmann, a longtime resident of Thompson and the main organizer of the conference. “In northern Manitoba, wolves can attract researchers and tourists, provide new income and business opportunities, and create positive publicity for Thompson and Manitoba if managed and marketed properly. Thompson could link itself as the wolf capital to the polar bear capital in Churchill for eco-tourism efforts. There’s great potential.” Among those scheduled to speak at the conference is Rick Baydack, a University of Manitoba wildlife biology professor, who said there is still much to learn about the wolf and its northern Manitoba habitat. – Winnipeg Free Press