Which habitats are critical for preserving large mammals?

Large mammals need forests, grasslands, and wetlands—especially big, connected, undisturbed wild areas that supply food, water, shelter, and safe breeding sites. These places must be shielded from heavy human use by creating and enlarging national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and reserves.

Habitat types critical for large mammals

• Forests: Diverse forests (e.g., Canada’s boreal forests) offer vast, intact ranges for wide-roaming species like caribou.
• Grasslands: Spanning huge areas of land, they are key for bison, antelope, and other grazers.
• Wetlands: Marshes and swamps support rich food webs used by many large animals.
• Riverine and mixed forests: Forests along rivers, wooded grasslands, and dense forests are crucial for species such as elephants and lions.

Habitat features that matter most

• Size: Bigger protected areas support more species and larger populations.
• Connectivity: Linked habitats and wildlife corridors let animals move safely over long distances and avoid people.
• Intactness: Undisturbed wildlands are essential; industrial expansion and fragmentation push species like caribou out.
• Access to resources: Reliable water sources (rivers, wetlands) anchor animal movements.

Priority conservation actions

• Grow protected networks: Establish and expand parks and sanctuaries to limit damaging activities.
• Build corridors: Connect existing reserves so wide-ranging mammals can migrate and find mates.
• Back sustainable land use: Reduce habitat loss through agroecology, smart grazing, and land restoration.
• Use technology: Apply GIS and remote sensing to map habitats, track change, and guide protection.