Yukon Conservation Society Deeply Concerned About Porcupine Caribou Herd

Monday, 31 August 2020 11:36

Despite years of lobbying and other efforts by Indigenous groups, conservation organizations and the general public, the current U.S. administration has decided to proceed with the industrialization of this highly valued landscape.

The Yukon Conservation Society (YCS) is deeply concerned and extremely disappointed by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s decision to move forward with petroleum leases in the calving grounds of the Porcupine Caribou Herd.

Coral Voss, Executive Director of YCS observed: “The coastal plain of Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the 10-02 lands, are absolutely critical to the survival of the Porcupine Caribou Herd as the herd’s central calving grounds. This herd is crucial to the survival of both the culture and communities of the Indigenous peoples of the region.”

A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service statement reads, in part: “Pregnant caribou, and females with young calves, are especially sensitive to disturbances such as the presence of humans, vehicles and sounds.”

Voss says the decision to open the Refuge to industrialization disregards the impacts on wildlife, the people and the places directly effected.

Voss says that efforts to protect this pristine and critical Refuge will continue, but may not be effective considering the current political climate in the US.

Sebastian Jones, Wildlife Analyst with the Yukon Conservation Society, said: “I can think of no decision better designed to doom the only healthy Barren Ground Caribou herd left in Canada. The fact that despite the impacts to Canada, there has been zero consultation with Canadians, simply adds insult to injury.”

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