nature:Wildlife needs wilderness

Canadian moose by Ron Thiessen.

The federal government’s Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) has identified over 500 species at risk across our nation. The majority of these species are in trouble because their habitat is disappearing. To ensure our precious wildlife thrives in the future, we must protect big wild places like the Fisher Bay region.

The Manitoba Conservation Data Center (CDC) lists sightings of the highly endangered piping plover within the Fisher Bay area. The Fisher Bay park reserve’s many seldom-used sandy beaches offer a sanctuary for these petite shorebirds to lay their eggs. As Manitoba beaches are increasingly overrun with human activity, it is critical that our provincial government take immediate action to ensure sufficient habitat is available for this endangered species.

Little brown bats find a cozy home in the cracked limestone located in FRCN’s proposed provincial park. In Manitoba, CDC lists little brown bats as vulnerable to extirpation (extinct in the province). The CDC also reports three rare fish species that swim the waters of Fisher Bay: shortjaw cisco, chestnut lamprey, and silver chub. Wolves, moose, bears, foxes, birds, and many other boreal species find everything they require within FRCN’s proposed boundaries for the Fisher Bay protected area. Without habitat protection, we may lose these species in Fisher Bay.

Least bittern by Jim Flynn.

As Manitobans, we have the responsibility and the right to secure a future for our wildlife by conserving our incredible boreal ecosystems. We must make sure our elected officials know how we feel about permanently protected provincial park as proposed by Fisher River Cree Nation.