In June 2006, the provincial government finally listed the woodland caribou under the Manitoba Endangered Species Act (MESA). This was tremendous news, and an important step for the protection of this iconic species, but the woodland caribou is not safe in the woods yet. Unless the habitat of these beautiful and elusive animals is protected, as is legally required by MESA, the high-risk herds of caribou will accelerate down their path to extinction.

Large logging corporations operating in caribou habitat on public land are putting forth risky and experimental plans for destroying caribou habitat, even though similar actions have proven detrimental in other provinces.

In the winter of 2007-2008, caribou numbers were down sharply in Tembec's logging area, after massive experimental harvests were conducted. The logging corporation says this is likely just a blip.

In Tolko's logging area, their expansion plans don't even account for the existence of caribou. In areas that are already set aside from industrial activity to protect caribou, Tolko has decided to run destructive all-weather roads.

What Manitobans deserve, and the woodland caribou require, is a moratorium on all logging operations in or near caribou habitat until the Manitoba government presents a peer-reviewed management plan for each herd. Plans and experiments put forth by logging corporations—companies with vested interests in logging caribou habitat—have proven to be devastating to caribou, and will not be accepted by the concerned citizens of Manitoba.