Environmental groups pan draft caribou plan

About a dozen environmental groups from across the country are urging the Alberta government to abandon a draft plan for the recovery of woodland caribou. The groups say a proposal to fence in 100 square kilometres of forest for pregnant females would lead to predators and other animals such as deer, elk and moose being destroyed. The public is being asked to voice opinions on the draft before the Aug. 5 deadline. Environmentalists say the major issue that needs to be addressed is the loss of natural habitat to industrial expansion. Some of the organizations criticizing the caribou plan include the Animal Alliance of Canada, the Raincoast Conservation Foundation and Wolf Awareness. The $40-million plan to restore industry-damaged habitat and section off forest has drawn applause from scientists.