Pruitt, W.O., Jr. (Editor). 1996. The Caribou Commons. A Project to Protect the Caribou of Manitoba (Boreal Ecology 1995 Class Project). Wild Earth 6 (2):70-78.

 

Introduction

The Caribou Commons is designed as an effort to protect the habitat of Caribou in the Province of Manitoba so that their long-term survival can be assured. Because of the negative effect humans have on Caribou, a reduction in contact is required to preserve them in Manitoba. This project has endeavoured to limit the interactions between humans and Caribou wherever possible. Although we may not be able to eliminate human intervention into Caribou habitat, this project enables us to reduce it dramatically. Also, by basing an ecological reserve on a wide-ranging ungulate, numerous other species of plants and animals will benefit from the decrease in human development of their natural habitat.

A balance must be achieved in order to satisfy the needs of the Caribou and the needs of the human population. For this reason, the establishment of the full Caribou Commons outlined in this report cannot be accomplished in a short time period. By breaking it into three phases over a period of 150 years, the Commons can be realized. This time frame will enable human populations to establish alternative economic enterprises that do not rely on the land needed for the continued survival of the Caribou and other species. It is hoped that the creation of the Caribou Commons will allow future generations of humans to continue to enjoy the natural communities of plants and animals in Manitoba.