Caribou Presentation:
This morning, a very accomplished guest speaker by the name of Carolyn Callaghan, was welcomed into the grade nine geography class. Carolyn specialized in wolf ecology, while completing her Ph.D. She is currently a senior conservation biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Federation. Although Carolyn studied wolf ecology, she was brought in to explain the endangerment of caribou. This was strictly because her current research has more of a focus on caribou.
Throughout Carolyn’s presentation, you could really sense her passion for the caribou species. While Carolyn was briefing us on her presentation, I was able to understand the situation on caribou. To expand, she mentioned the slow reproduction rate. Caribou are unable to deliver twins under any circumstance, and caribou take longer to have babies. Because of this, caribou are already at a disadvantage in comparison to their prey. Climate change has also taken a toll on caribou, because their habitat is being destroyed. Caribou calves are also very vulnerable to other prey. Because of all these reasons, the caribou population is struggling, and considered “endangered.”
It is very disappointing that nobody has taken effective action thus far. In order to fix this, Carolyn has challenged us to write a letter to the minister of Environment Canada (Catherine McKenna,) in order to share our concern for the caribou species. This could be a great segway for adults to consider the voices of adolescents.
In order to aid with this issue, I would like to ask a few questions on behalf of our society. Firstly, I am still wondering why sacrificing one species(wolves) for another (caribou) is going to benefit the food chain in the long run? I would also like to know what the average Canadian can do to help solve this issue? (besides writing a letter.) Finally, how can we help change the worlds outlook on climate change?
Overall, I thought Carolyn’s presentation gave me a new outlook on the severity of caribou endangerment. Before this, I had very little knowledge on this ongoing matter. With all the research being done, I am hopeful the caribou population will find a way to survive. While awaiting a solution, I hope our generation can play a role in maintaining the caribou species!
Thank you very much,
-Sahil Arora
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