Boreal Caribou

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Description

Boreal caribou are a distinct population of woodland caribou. They are the largest subspecies of caribou in the Northwest Territories (NWT) in terms of size.

Boreal caribou are similar to northern mountain caribou, the other population of woodland caribou found in the NWT, but have different habitat preferences and behaviour.

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Habitat

Boreal caribou live in the forests east of the Mackenzie Mountains. Their range covers more than 44 million hectares in the NWT and part of northeastern Yukon. Boreal caribou do not migrate; they tend to live in small groups and prefer to stay within the forest all year. Females disperse throughout the forests for calving to reduce the risk of predation.​​​​

Boreal caribou range in the NWT

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Population

Boreal caribou populations have declined in most of their range across Canada. In the NWT, the population of boreal caribou is estimated to be between 6,000 and 7,000 animals.

Population trends vary across the NWT. Boreal caribou numbers appear to be stable or increasing in some parts of the territory and decreasing in others. Trends are unknown across much of the NWT.

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Harvest Management

  • The season for harvesting boreal caribou by NWT Resident Hunting Licence and General Hunting Licence holders is July 15 to December 15.
  • Resident Hunting Licence holders can only harvest one bull (male) per year.
  • There are currently no seasons or limits for Indigenous Harvesters and Aboriginal Rights Holders.
  • For more information see the NWT Summary of Hunting and Trapping Regulations
  • Remember to complete the Resident Hunter Harvest Survey or share harvest information with your Local Harvesting Committee.

Boreal caribou sustainable harvest assessment

In 2019, the GNWT hired an independent contractor to develop population and harvest models for boreal caribou in the NWT. The Boreal Caribou Sustainable Harvest Assessment focuses on sustainable harvest levels for boreal caribou for boreal caribou across the southern NWT.

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Species at Risk Status and Recovery

  • Boreal caribou are listed as a species at risk under the federal Species at Risk Act and the territorial Species at Risk (NWT) Act.
  • The Recovery Strategy for Boreal Caribou in the NWT sets out recommended approaches to ensure a healthy and sustainable boreal caribou population across their NWT range that offers harvesting opportunities for present and future generations. A report on progress is published every five years.
  • Federal species at risk legislation requires specific actions for boreal caribou critical habitat protection. This includes the development of range plans. Conservation at the national level is guided by a national recovery strategy.
  • A Conservation Agreement is in place between the GNWT and the Government of Canada under the Species at Risk Act, which includes a commitment to complete regional range plans for boreal caribou in the NWT. The agreement provides funding to support range planning and engagement of Indigenous partners to ensure the range plans reflect the values and interests of northerners.
  • Further information on species at risk status and recovery of boreal caribou can be found at www.nwtspeciesatrisk.ca.
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Range planning

Range plans are tools for decision-makers, developers and communities to help manage activities on the land in a way that supports caribou conservation.

These regional plans will maintain at least 65 per cent undisturbed habitat within the NWT range of boreal caribou over the long term, as required by the national Boreal Caribou Recovery Strategy and Species at Risk Act.

The goal of these plans is to ensure a healthy and sustainable boreal caribou population across their NWT range that offers harvesting opportunities for present and future generations.

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Resources

Range Planning

Together with co-management partners, a Framework for Boreal Caribou Range Planning was put in place to guide the development of five regional boreal caribou range plans across the NWT.

FAQ: Boreal Caribou Section 11 Conservation Agreement

NWT Species and Habitat Viewer

Use the NWT Species and Habitat Viewer to find map layers for boreal caribou and range planning. You can also get custom reports on habitat disturbance based on your location(s) of interest and find out how a new development project would change the amount of habitat disturbance.

Other Resources

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