MANAGING TOURISM IN THE CAPE CHURCHILL WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

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MANAGING TOURISM IN THE CAPE CHURCHILL WILDLIFE
MANAGEMENT AREA
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Churchill
Winnipeg
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Churchill
Cape Churchill Wildlife Management Area
Wapusk National Park
Cape Tatnam Wildlife Management Area
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CAPE CHURCHILL WMA

• Established in 1978 to protect habitats used by
  polar bear, caribou, snow geese and Canada geese
  and other significant avian populations
• Wapusk National Park established in 1996 from
  lands within the WMA
• Birding destination since 1930s
• Polar bear viewing on commercial basis began on
  small scale in early 1980s
• Annual visitor numbers now exceed 18000 per year

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CAPE CHURCHILL WMA

• Managed under the Manitoba Wildlife Act and
  Regulations
• Management goals are
• to conserve indigenous wildlife including plants,
  insects and animals as well as their habitat
• to encourage scientific research that enhances
  the department's ability to manage wildlife and
  its habitats
• to create a better awareness of Manitoba's
  wildlife and conservation measures
• to ensure that Constitutional and Treaty
  obligations to First Nations people are respected
  and accommodated
• to provide opportunities for wildlife viewing and
  commercial eco-tourism in a manner that will
  maintain high quality viewing experiences and
  minimize the impact on the landscape and
  individual animals
• to provide opportunities for hunting and
  trapping, with special consideration given to the
  requirements of local residents
• to meet Canadas and Manitobas commitment and
  obligations to the International Agreement on the
  Conservation of Polar Bears and their Habitat

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CAPE CHURCHILL WMA

• Managed under the Manitoba Wildlife Act and
  Regulations
• Management goals are
• to conserve indigenous wildlife including plants,
  insects and animals as well as their habitat
• to encourage scientific research that enhances
  the department's ability to manage wildlife and
  its habitats
• to create a better awareness of Manitoba's
  wildlife and conservation measures
• to ensure that Constitutional and Treaty
  obligations to First Nations people are respected
  and accommodated
• to provide opportunities for wildlife viewing and
  commercial eco-tourism in a manner that will
  maintain high quality viewing experiences and
  minimize the impact on the landscape and
  individual animals
• to provide opportunities for hunting and
  trapping, with special consideration given to the
  requirements of local residents
• to meet Canadas and Manitobas commitment and
  obligations to the International Agreement on the
  Conservation of Polar Bears and their Habitat

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CAPE CHURCHILL WMA

• Land Use Restrictions
• off-road use of motor vehicles restricted to
  designated trails
• new trail establishment prohibited
• permanent structures prohibited
• Activity Restrictions
• maximum 2 mobile camps for commercial tourism
• maximum 18 off road vehicles for commercial
  tourism
• maximum 6 light helicopters for aerial tours
• prohibited entry into designated areas while
  polar bears are on land

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CAPE CHURCHILL WMA

• Issues Related to Vehicle Use
• The area consists of tundra ponds, wetlands,
  peatlands and stranded beaches

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CAPE CHURCHILL WMA

• Issues Related to Vehicle Use
• The area consists of tundra ponds, wetlands,
  peatlands and stranded beaches
• Existing trails are braided in some locations

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CAPE CHURCHILL WMA

• Issues Related to Vehicle Use
• The area consists of tundra ponds, wetlands,
  peatlands and stranded beaches
• Existing trails were braided in some locations
• Wet areas on the trail are degraded as vehicles
  made new trails through the wet area

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CAPE CHURCHILL WMA

• Issues Related to Vehicle Use
• The area consists of tundra ponds, wetlands,
  peatlands and stranded beaches
• Existing trails were braided in some locations
• Wet areas on the trail were degraded as vehicles
  made new trails through the wet area
• Public safety must be foremost in bear country

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CAPE CHURCHILL WMA

• Wildlife Issues
• Many species of wildlife are susceptible to
  disturbance with significant consequences

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CAPE CHURCHILL WMA

• Wildlife Issues
• Many species of wildlife are susceptible to
  disturbance with significant consequences
• Tourists paying for facilities demand the
  perfect photo opportunity

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CAPE CHURCHILL WMA

• Wildlife Issues
• Many species of wildlife are susceptible to
  disturbance with significant consequences
• Tourists paying for facilities demand the
  perfect photo opportunity often resulting in
  undesirable effects

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CAPE CHURCHILL WMA

• Management Action on Vehicle Impacts to the Land
• Installation of culverts in the worst wet areas
• Removal of rocks from selected wet areas
• Management Action Enforced on Tour Operators
• Public safety standards and requirement that tour
  groups be under supervision at all times
• Prohibition on feeding or baiting wildlife
• Minimum approach distances to wildlife
• Requirement to vacate area if wildlife react to
  aircraft by attempting to avoid the aircraft

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CAPE CHURCHILL WMA

• Management Action in Progress
• Trail mapping and inventory
• Operational guidelines for tundra vehicle drivers
• Development of significant land use and activity
  restrictions in critical wildlife habitats
• co-ordinate management of human activities in the
  WMA with the adjacent Wapusk National Park

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CAPE CHURCHILL WMA

• New Issues to be Addressed in the Future
• Increasing numbers of tourists and congested
  periods of the year

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CAPE CHURCHILL WMA

• New Issues to be Addressed in the Future
• Increasing numbers of tourists and congested
  periods of the year
• Steady demand by tour companies for increased
  access or facilities in the WMA
• Capture of revenue from WMA users for maintenance
  of the lands used for eco-tourism

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