(Photo: flickr.com/Rosino)

Woodland caribou, once abundant throughout much of mainland Canada and the northern United States, have been a major source of concern in recent decades due to significant declines in their population and loss of about half of their historic range.

To help inform decision makers and the public at large, the International Boreal Conservation Science Panel has published Keeping woodland caribou in the boreal forest: Big challenge, immense opportunity as a guide for conserving woodland caribou over the long term. It provides a broad overview of the state of woodland caribou, leading causes of their decline, and concludes with proactive steps needed to be taken to ensure this iconic species is not lost forever.