Recovery strategies are considered to be advice to government on the recommended approaches to protect and recover endangered, threatened, or extirpated species, as identified by the Recovery Team. The recommendations in recovery strategies are considered by the Ministry of Natural Resources in work planning, land use planning, resource management and policy development. The advice in recovery strategies is also intended to be available to other agencies, organizations, partners and stakeholders, with implementation dependent on cooperative and collaborative approaches.

In many cases, a recovery team will develop the strategy. Recovery teams are typically comprised of the responsible jurisdictions and experts on the species or issues associated with its recovery. The role of the recovery team is to provide biological advice to responsible jurisdictions on how best to recover the species.

This Woodland Caribou Recovery Strategy builds upon a number of recent caribou conservation and management measures that have been developed and implemented in Ontario since the early 1990s.

The boreal population of woodland caribou (forest-dwelling ecotype) (Rangifer tarandus caribou) is a medium-sized member of the deer family that inhabits the boreal forest across much of Canada. In Ontario, it is found mainly north of approximately 50°N, with isolated populations occurring along the north shore and some islands of Lake Superior. Woodland caribou have disappeared from much of their southern historical range across Canada and the United States, with range retraction estimated to be 40% to 50% in Ontario. As a result, the forest-dwelling boreal population of woodland caribou has been designated as a threatened species on the Species at Risk in Ontario List and in Schedule 1 of the federal Species at Risk Act.

Forest-dwelling woodland caribou require extensive tracts of relatively undisturbed older conifer forest and peatlands, where they occur at low densities over very large areas. During the winter, small groups occupy forests rich in lichens, an important food source that is not readily used by other members of the deer family such as moose and white-tailed deer. In the spring and summer, female caribou disperse to calving grounds on islands, peninsulas and isolated peatlands. These behavioural strategies help to reduce predation, a key factor that limits populations. Wolves are the primary predator of woodland caribou, but black bears, wolverine and lynx may also hunt them.

Reasons for the long-term decline of woodland caribou include the complex interaction of several factors resulting from human-caused changes to the forest fragmentation. These include habitat change and loss, landscape fragmentation, increased access and human disturbance, and changes to the predator-prey community as a result of these habitat changes.

The Ontario Woodland Caribou Recovery Team has submitted a draft Recovery Strategy for the forest-dwelling boreal population of woodland caribou to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) for agency sign-off. The recovery strategy includes the goal to: maintain self-sustaining, genetically connected populations where they currently exist; ensure security for and connections among currently isolated mainland populations; and re-establish caribou in strategically selected landscape units to achieve self-sustaining populations and ensure connectivity. Several approaches for achieving this goal are outlined in the recovery strategy, including policy and legislation, inventory and monitoring, population management, land use planning and resource management, research, and communications and outreach.

The Recovery Team recommends that recovery action plans be developed for more specific areas and themes upon completion of the recovery strategy, and with the assistance of local Recovery Implementation Groups representing local stakeholders. Development of recovery action plans to provide more detailed direction for implementation have been recommended for each of five recovery zones - the coast of Lake Superior, the Central Highlands, Lake Nipigon, and continuous range in northwestern and northeastern Ontario. The zones relate to the current distribution of caribou and opportunities for maintaining populations, retaining and enhancing landscape linkages, and expanding continuous range.

The purpose of this notice is to inform the public about the completion of a provincial recovery strategy for the forest-dwelling boreal population of woodland caribou in Ontario.

Ontario has been involved in woodland caribou conservation and recovery actions for many years. Past management practices and activities that have considered woodland caribou include the development of forest management guidelines for woodland caribou habitat, the establishment of significant parks and protected areas that contain areas and habitats of significance to woodland caribou, inventory, monitoring and research activities, and public education initiatives. Development of this recovery strategy was informed by the knowledge and experience gained from these activities.

This action supports the province's commitments under Our Sustainable Future, the Ontario Biodiversity Strategy and the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk in Canada to prepare recovery plans for nationally endangered and threatened species. There are also linkages to the proposed legislative changes for species at risk protection in Ontario. Preparation of a Recovery Strategy for Woodland Caribou (Forest-dwelling Boreal Population) in Ontario contributes to meeting this commitment.

Recommendations in the recovery strategy will be considered by the ministry in developing a Caribou Conservation Framework document to define and guide the OMNR's caribou conservation and recovery program. The framework will be used by OMNR staff and stakeholders to support resource management and land-use planning decisions for activities occurring within woodland caribou range. Comments received during the consultation process for the draft recovery strategy will be considered during the development of the Caribou Conservation Framework.

Ontario is also participating in the development of a National Recovery Strategy for the Boreal Population of Woodland Caribou across Canada. Public consultation may also occur on this document nationally.

The following web-links provide additional information:

A link to the Recovery Strategy for Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) (Forest-dwelling, Boreal Population) in Ontario and the Report of the Ontario Woodland Caribou Science Review Panel: The Path Forward  http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Species/2ColumnSubPage/249504.html   

A policy proposal notice has been posted on the Environmental Registry regarding the development of a conservation plan for Caribou in Ontario, 010-4421 – Development of MNR policy to guide Woodland Caribou conservation and recovery efforts in Ontario www.ontario.ca/environmentalregistry.ca and search 010-4421.

Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA, 2007) http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_07e06_e.htm

MNR's Species at Risk Program http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Species/index.html

Ontario Biodiversity Strategy http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Biodiversity/index.html

Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk in Canada and the Federal Species at Risk Act http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/approach/strategy/default_e.cfm

Species at Risk Legislative Review and the discussion paper "Toward Better Protection of Species at Risk in Ontario", http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Species/2ColumnSubPage/STEL01_131286.html

Alternative viewing locations are:

Publications Ontario
880 Bay Street
alternate phone: 1-800-267-8097, Toronto, Ontario, M7A 1N8
PHONE: (416) 326-1234

ServiceOntario
Robinson Place Lobby
300 Water Street, Peterborough, Ontario, K9J 8M5
PHONE: (705) 755-2000

The public was invited to provide comments on the draft Recovery Strategy between July 10 and September 4, 2006. All comments received were provided to the Recovery Team for their consideration in preparation of a final recovery strategy.

In addition, a stakeholder advisory committee provided input during the development of the recovery strategy. Membership on the committee included representatives from many stakeholder groups including forestry, trapping, mining, prospecting, recreational, tourism, environmental and academic associations.

Jason Travers
Manager
Ministry of Natural Resources
Natural Resource Management Division
Fish and Wildlife Branch
Species at Risk
300 Water Street
Peterborough Ontario
K9J 8M5
Phone: (705) 755-1754
Fax: (705) 755-1788