Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

CARLETON-SUR-MER – Environnement vert plus believes the recovery of the caribou population offers a glimmer of hope for the species, even though the battle for its survival is far from over. 

The Ministry of Wildlife reports that the herd has grown by eight animals over the past year. This brings the total population to 30, including both wild and captive caribou. 

“It is presented to us as an increase compared to 2023, but in the general trend, we are still in decline. If we look at it compared to 2022, we had only 30 caribou. We are below this figure of 35-36, which is a concern because this is the second year in a row where we have a decrease compared to the three previous years, even though we are in a plan of supplanting in enclosures,” says Pascal Bergeron, spokesperson Environment vert plus. “We may have won a small battle, but we are far from having won the war,” he adds. 

While the Commission on the survival of the caribou emphasizes the importance of maintaining its habitat, the ecologist deplores that we continue to disrupt its habitat. 

“We are still planning cuts in the caribou habitat in the Gaspésie. There was a special development plan to cut wood damaged by the spruce budworm. We are going to further increase the cut area, and the roads, and it is counterproductive,” says Mr. Bergeron. The management plan would increase the caribou disturbance rate from 88% to 89%. 

“To succeed in having an autonomous herd, which would be stable and which we would not need to supplant in enclosures, we are talking about more than 35% disturbance rate. We must stop allowing the industry to go and get wood under the pretext that it has been damaged by an epidemic. These trees provide lichen, serving as a natural habitat that would not be conducive to predators. That is the most important thing,” says Mr. Bergeron. 

“Now is the time to make the right decision. The right decision is to stop cutting down the habitat. All the experts say so. When the budworm passes, there is light that enters the forest cover, the arboreal lichen develops more, and the trees lose branches throughout the winter. It becomes a pantry for the caribou. Leave them there,” maintains the environmentalist. 

Despite these concerns, Mr. Bergeron remains cautiously optimistic. 

“If we actively pursue the reproduction and release scenario and restore habitat and stop destroying it, there is a chance of caribou survival,” he concludes.