EDMONTON — The Alberta government has postponed a huge selloff of energy exploration leases on the range of an endangered caribou herd near Grande Cache.
Alberta Energy spokesman Chris Bourdeau says the decision was made Friday morning.
He says the government wants more time to think about the implications of selling the leases on the range of the Redrock-Prairie Creek herd.
Bidding was to have closed next Wednesday on 21,000 hectares of prime habitat for the herd, which both the federal and provincial governments are legally obliged to protect.
READ MORE: Alberta plans huge lease sale on caribou range
At least half the herd’s range is already disturbed by development.
Scientists say the animals’ population is going down about 14 per cent a year, making it one of the most rapidly declining herds in the province.
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