Tigers on the Prowl  An Introduction to Salamanders on the Prairies

Tigers on the Prowl An Introduction to Salamanders on the Prairies

Speaker:
Carla Church, Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation

Presentation Summary:
Manitoba and Saskatchewan boast two species of Tiger Salamander: the Eastern Tiger (Ambystoma tigrinum) and the Western Tiger (Ambystoma mavortium, also known as Barred or Grey Tiger Salamander). Salamanders play an important role in ecosystem health as both a mid level predator and as a bio-indicator. With their porous skin and biphasic lifecycle, they are sensitive to pollution and other habitat impacts both on land and in water. The impacts of climate change on the Canadian prairies are predicted to include increased summer temperatures, decreased summer rainfall and increased frequency and severity of droughts which would have dire consequences for salamander populations. With global amphibian decline and the increased risk of climate change, knowledge of local populations of salamanders is important for the continuation of the species as well as informing policy and recovery strategies.

About the Speaker:
Carla has been working in wildlife and conservation for 13 years. Her obsession with salamanders started 8 years ago: it was love at first sight. She has continued to work with herpetofauna and species-at-risk across Manitoba. She is currently completing her Master’s degree on Eastern Tiger Salamanders while working full time in conservation. Her love for all things slimy, scaley and hard shelled continues as does her passion for the outdoors and conserving Manitoba’s important ecosystems.

Hosted by: Caitlin Mroz-Sailer, Stewardship Coordinator, Prairie Conservation Action Plan

Presenting Sponsors: Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association, EcoFriendly Sask, Enbridge, Information Services Corporation, SaskTel, Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association & Wildlife Habitat Canada

Supporting Sponsor: Environment and Climate Change Canada

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