Conservation guided by science

Re: Reversing Manitoba's moose decline (Think Tank, Oct. 16)

Hank Hristienko's recent article highlights a fundamental conservation principle — wildlife management must be guided by evidence.

The threatened eastern wolf offers a similar lesson. Fewer than 1,000 mature eastern wolves are believed to remain in Canada, and conservation groups are calling for stronger habitat protection and science-based recovery measures.

In Western Canada, wolf reduction programs have been used to protect caribou. However, conservation advocates argue that such measures may have limited success if habitat loss and degradation, the root causes of decline, remain unaddressed.

The lesson for Manitoba is straightforward: lasting conservation depends on science, habitat protection and addressing root causes rather than symptoms.

If we want future generations to inherit our rich wildlife heritage, evidence-based conservation must remain at the centre of public policy.