Barren-ground Caribou

Many barren-ground caribou herds have declined significantly over the past few decades, resulting in efforts to reduce hunting pressures and manage disturbance to caribou. Some herds appear to be showing early signs of recovery and others are still declining or stable at low numbers.

The GNWT works with its co-management partners to make decisions about the herds that reflect the values and concerns of our communities and recognize and respect established and asserted Indigenous and treaty rights in the NWT.

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Barren-ground caribou in the Northwest Territories

Barren-ground caribou are the most abundant and widespread subspecies of caribou found in the Northwest Territories (NWT). They are characterized by long seasonal migrations between winter and summer ranges. Nine distinct barren-ground caribou herds spend all or part of their annual cycle in the taiga forests and tundra of the NWT mainland; many are shared with neighbouring jurisdictions.

Historical NWT barren-ground herd ranges and calving areas (1996-2018)

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How does the GNWT track caribou movements and population trends?

The GNWT uses regular aerial surveys along with GPS satellite telemetry (collars) to help us better understand caribou movements and population trends. Surveys to estimate population size are conducted every 2-3 years in collaboration with Indigenous governments and Indigenous organizations, the governments of Nunavut, Yukon, and Alaska, renewable resources boards and communities that depend on the herds.

We have also been working with scientific and Indigenous knowledge experts to better understand pressures affecting caribou. The GNWT provides support for Indigenous knowledge and community-based caribou research and monitoring programs, including the Tłı̨chǫ Boots on the Ground Caribou Monitoring Program and the Łutsel Kʼe Dene First Nation Moccasins on the Ground program.

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    How are barren-ground caribou managed in the NWT?

    Co-management processes, established under land claim agreements in the Inuvialuit, Gwich'in, Sahtú and Tłı̨chǫ settlement areas provide direction and advice to governments on management of caribou and habitat using Indigenous and scientific knowledge. The GNWT also works with Indigenous communities and organizations in southern parts of the NWT where claims are not yet settled.

    Our cooperative co-management approach to managing barren-ground caribou is guided by the Recovery Strategy for Barren-ground Caribou in the Northwest Territories, which provides overall guidance for the conservation and recovery of all NWT barren-ground caribou herds.

    There are also several herd-specific management plans:

    • Porcupine: The Harvest Management Plan for the Porcupine Caribou herd in Canada coordinates management actions for the herd’s conservation and describes actions co-management partners will take based on the status of the herd.
    • Cape Bathurst, Bluenose-West and Bluenose-East: Taking Care of Caribou was developed by a committee of six co-management boards that share authority for these northern herds to address their long-term management and stewardship. Action plans for each herd are reviewed annually by co-management partners.
    • Bathurst: The Bathurst Caribou Management Plan was developed under the direction of the Bathurst Caribou Advisory Committee. It builds on the 2019 Bathurst Caribou Range Plan and brings together important knowledge and insight from guardianship initiatives and community-based monitoring programs across the Bathurst caribou range.
    • Beverly and Qamanirjuaq: Caribou is Life describes how the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board (BQCMB) will work with others to make sure there are Beverly and Qamanirjauq barren-ground caribou herds for today and for the future.
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    How are we supporting barren-ground caribou recovery?

    Barren-ground caribou (not including the Porcupine herd) are listed as a species at risk under the territorial Species at Risk (NWT) Act. The Recovery Strategy for Barren-ground Caribou in the NWT sets out recommended approaches to achieve the following goals: 

    • Maintain or restore self-sustaining, resilient populations of each barren-ground caribou herd, such that no herd is lost.
    • Support and maintain the caribou-people relationship.
    • Promote conditions that allow caribou to move and migrate across their historic ranges without barriers.
    • Promote the conditions necessary for recovery.

    Measures to help the recovery and long-term sustainability of the herds include co-management activities related to harvest, habitat and predation.

    Harvest

    Non-residents can no longer hunt barren-ground caribou in the Northwest Territories, and resident harvest is limited. Many herds also have harvest restrictions for Indigenous hunters that have been put in place through co-management processes. Contact your local or regional ECC office to find out about restrictions in your area.

    Habitat

    Ensuring each barren-ground caribou herd has healthy year-round habitat and the opportunity to migrate freely across its range will be important for the long-term welfare of the herds.

    The Bathurst Caribou Range Plan was developed with communities and co-management partners to help protect key habitat, allow for seasonal movements and reduce disturbance of Bathurst caribou. Released in 2019, this plan provides guidance for decision-makers to manage activities in a way that keeps the land healthy for caribou.

    Predation

    Wolves are the primary predator of barren-ground caribou. To help address significant declines in caribou populations, a wolf management program was undertaken in the North Slave region from 2019-2024. This included a research and monitoring program as well as training for wolf harvesters and increased incentives for wolves harvested on the winter ranges of Bathurst and Bluenose-East caribou. The Wek’èezhìi Renewable Resources Board, Tłı̨chǫ Government and GNWT are currently conducting a comprehensive review of the joint program.

    Increased incentives have also been offered in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region since 2023 to help reduce wolf predation on Bluenose-West caribou.

    Learn more about our approach to wolf management:

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    Resources

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