More in this section

Woodland caribou

We support research on woodland caribou populations, some of which are located near the Wuskwatim generating station and its associated transmission lines. The research is designed to shed light on caribou behaviour and could help plan and design future generation and transmission developments.

As part of the research, DNA is extracted from fecal material to identify individual animals and to help determine population structure, size, and trends. This information is essential to assessing and mitigating the impact of industrial activities on the species.

In other research, biologists are collecting data on the whereabouts of the herds through aerial surveys that use Very High Frequency and Global Positioning System tracking collars worn by the animals. When interpreted, data from the collars show where the caribou have gone, yielding insights into their habitat requirements, migration patterns, and other life-cycle characteristics, as well as the potential effects of resource development.

Woodland caribou in the province are widely dispersed, from the Manitoba-Ontario border, east of Pine Falls, to Lynn Lake. Caribou live in the boreal forest and use a variety of habitats including mature spruce, jack pine, and treed bog. Their main source of food is lichen, but they may also eat twigs, leaves and sedges.