It might not deliver holiday presents or light up the sky, but聽Rangifer tarandus caribou is fleet-footed, hardy, and鈥攁ccording to kids and conservationists alike鈥攚orthy of our support. The 鈥渞eal鈥� reindeer, AKA , call home to , and they are in trouble. Over the past 150 years, their numbers have declined by 40 percent due to industrial development of the boreal forest. Climate change and increasing pressure to develop this region has put the species at even greater risk.

To help save them, WCS and Earth Rangers鈥攁 Canadian conservation group that works directly with children and families鈥攈ave teamed up. Their campaign, called 鈥淏ring Back the Wild 鈥� Save the Real Reindeer,鈥� will help fund WCS鈥檚 ongoing efforts to safeguard caribou from mining and other development issues in northern Ontario鈥檚 鈥淩ing of Fire鈥� region.

鈥淲oodland caribou are among the world鈥檚 most beloved species, particularly this time of year,鈥� said Justina Ray, Director of WCS Canada. 鈥淲CS is delighted to team up with Earth Rangers to engage kids to protect this living symbol of the holidays鈥攁nd of northern wilderness.鈥�

WCS conducts ongoing aerial surveys of the boreal forest to identify important caribou areas and assess threats, and works on the ground to find solutions to protect this important habitat.

To learn more about the campaign, .