A caribou expert says he thinks a made-in-Saskatchewan approach may make the most sense when it comes to protecting caribou in the province.
Gord Vaadeland is the director of the Saskatchewan branch of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society.
Vaadeland feels there is a big difference right now between the federal government and the province, when it comes to deciding the best way to protect endangered woodland caribou.
He explains the proposed federal approach, which is currently the subject of debate, has placed more emphasis on protecting animals north of La Ronge — when it is really the animals further south that are more at risk.
One of the solutions CPAWS is advocating would see the removal of the priority of the shield population over the plains population — thereby allowing the province to set its own priority and use the plan it has put forward.
Vaadeland adds efforts could then be made to try and recover caribou in areas where everyone agrees they are in trouble — namely, the boreal plains.