Conservation groups hopeful habitat conditions for endangered mainland moose will be improved
26 Apr 06
Halifax -- Conservation groups are anticipating that the soon-to-be released Recovery Plan for Nova Scotia¹s endangered mainland moose will include actions to address habitat loss and fragmentation. The Plan is expected to be presented to DNR Minister Brooke Taylor this spring, and subsequently made public. An alliance of 23 conservation and tourism groups has provided information supporting habitat protection and restoration to the Department of Natural Resources-led recovery team.
"We submitted thirty-three specific recommendations related to habitat protection and restoration, along with the local knowledge and scientific support to back them up," notes Karen McKendry of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society-Nova Scotia Chapter. "The DNR's own Status Report on Mainland Moose identified habitat loss as one of the major threats to moose recovery, we've suggested some specific actions that could be taken to address the problem," adds McKendry.
"We continue to believe that assuring adequate quantity, quality and security of habitat is fundamental to moose recovery," adds Emily McMillan of the Atlantic Chapter of the Sierra Club of Canada. "Protecting moose habitat would also benefit the many other species who share their habitat."
The groups have made the point that by protecting habitat, other major threats to moose recovery such as disease, poaching and climate change can be alleviated. For example, protecting habitat and increasing security from human disturbance can reduce stress and promote foraging opportunities, thereby increasing moose health and resistance to disease. Poaching opportunities can be reduced through forestry road closures and decommissioning, and promoting older forests would provide more shade and offer some buffer against warming temperatures.
Habitat destruction and fragmentation also contributes to the present day isolation of localized groups of mainland moose from one another. One consequence of isolation is susceptibility to further reductions in numbers through genetic decline and environmental changes.
The mainland moose population was listed as an endangered species by the Nova Scotia government in 2003. According to the Nova Scotia Endangered Species Act, a recovery plan should have been developed within one year of the listing.
Additional information, including the 23-page submission by the conservation and tourism groups can be found at http://www.cpawsns.org/moose.
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For more information contact:
Karen McKendry, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society Nova Scotia Chapter, (902) 446-4155;
Emily McMillan, Sierra Club of Canada-Atlantic Canada Chapter, (902) 444-3113.