Boreal Caribou

Rangifer tarandus caribou

General Status Rank: 
At Risk
ELCODE: 
AMALC0401E
Common Name: 
Boreal Caribou
Scientific Name: 
Rangifer tarandus caribou
Synonyms: 
Woodland Caribou (Boreal)
Naming References: 
W020
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Mammal (Terrestrial Mammal)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Mammalia
Order: 
Artiodactyla
Family: 
Cervidae
References: 
R018
General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

16 or 28 months
References: 
R018

Economic/Human Considerations

Food; hunting
References: 
R018
Habitat
Lichen-rich mature forest and their associated bogs, lakes and rivers.
References: 
R018
R140
R220
Distribution

Ecozones

Taiga Plains, Boreal Plains
References: 
R018

Distribution

38% of the NWT (R018); about the same as the Taiga Plains ecozone; estimated at 433,504 sq km (R140).
Score: 
G = 2
References: 
R018
R140

Number of Occurrences

Unknown number of population - radio collaring studies in process (H126-05)
References: 
H126-05

Area of Occupancy

Traditional knowledge indicates decreasing in Sahtu (H111) and Inuvik area (H110). Also down in Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary (H114).
Score: 
-
References: 
R220
Population

Population Size

About 6,500.
Score: 
E = 2
References: 
R220

Density

In the NWT, estimates done in 2005 and 2006 from radio-collared animals in the Inuvialuit region = 1 per 100 km2; part of Yukon, and Gwich'in = about 1.5 per 100 km2; western Sahtu = 1.5 per 100 km2; in the rest of the Sahtu = 1 per 100 km2; in the Plains - part of the North Slave = 1.3 per 100 km2; northern and southwest portion Dehcho = about 2 per 100 km2; in remaining Dehcho and South Slave = about 3 per 100 km2.
Trends

Trends

Population growth rates for the entire NWT population of boreal caribou are not known. Recent short-term (≤ 7 year) growth rates (λ) have been measured in local study areas. These rates, combined with estimates of boreal caribou abundance in different parts of the NWT, suggest that 53% of NWT boreal caribou are found in areas where caribou numbers have been declining or may have been stable (Dehcho and South Slave regions). Only 8% of NWT boreal caribou are found in areas where caribou numbers have been increasing (Gwich’in region). The remaining 39% are found in areas where the trend is unknown (Inuvialuit, Sahtu, and North Slave regions).
Score: 
EG =
References: 
R220
Threats

Threats

Habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation resulting from anthropogenic and natural fire disturbances – including habitat change that increases predation risk. Habitat loss, disease (R018), human activity (H111).
Score: 
A = V
References: 
R220

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation resulting from anthropogenic and natural fire disturbances – including habitat change that increases predation risk.
Score: 
-
References: 
R220
General Status Rank
Rank: 
At Risk
Status Rank Description: 
Some areas with higher threats; reviewed by SARC as at risk in NWT in general (2012).
S Rank: 
S2?
Decision Process Description: 
Reviewed in 2004, remain sensitive. Reviewed in 2010, no change; modified from sensitive to at risk based on SARC assessment (2012). Reviewed in 2015, no change. Reviewed in 2020, no change.
Last Updated: 
February 15, 2024
Status Designations

NWT - Assessment by Species at Risk Committee

NWT SARC Assessment: 
Threatened
2012
References: 
R220

NWT - Species at Risk Legal Status

NWT Status Rank: 
Threatened
2014

Canada – Assessment by Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada

COSEWIC Status: 
Threatened
2014; The boreal population was designated Threatened in May 2000. This newly-defined population is composed of a portion of the de-activated “western population” and all of the de-activated “Labrador-Ungava population”. Status re-examined and confirmed in May 2002 and November 2014. "COSEWIC. 2014. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Caribou Rangifer tarandus, Newfoundland population, Atlantic-Gaspésie population and Boreal population, in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. xxiii + 128 pp. (www.registrelep-sararegistry.gc.ca/default_e.cfm)."
References: 
R140
R280

Canada – Species at Risk Legal Status

SARA Status: 
Threatened
2003
References: 
W103

References

Age Of Maturity

  • Kelsall JP (1984) Status report on the woodland caribou Rangifer tarandus dawsoni and Rangifer tarandus caribou in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R018 Return

Area of Occupancy

  • SARC (2012) Species Status report on Woodland Caribou (Boreal popluation) in the NWT. - R220 Return
COSEWIC Status
  • Thomas, D. and Gray, David (2001) Updated COSEWIC status report on forest-dwelling woodland caribou, caribou des bois Rangifer tarandus caribou. Copy in RWED library - R140 Return
  • COSEWIC (2014) e-copy - R280 Return

Economic Status

  • Kelsall JP (1984) Status report on the woodland caribou Rangifer tarandus dawsoni and Rangifer tarandus caribou in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R018 Return

Ecozones

  • Kelsall JP (1984) Status report on the woodland caribou Rangifer tarandus dawsoni and Rangifer tarandus caribou in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R018 Return

Federal Species at Risk Status

  • Government of Canada (2016) Species at Risk Public Registry. http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/default_e.cfm - W103 Return

Habitat

  • Kelsall JP (1984) Status report on the woodland caribou Rangifer tarandus dawsoni and Rangifer tarandus caribou in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R018 Return
  • Thomas, D. and Gray, David (2001) Updated COSEWIC status report on forest-dwelling woodland caribou, caribou des bois Rangifer tarandus caribou. Copy in RWED library - R140 Return
  • SARC (2012) Species Status report on Woodland Caribou (Boreal popluation) in the NWT. - R220 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • SARC (2012) Species Status report on Woodland Caribou (Boreal popluation) in the NWT. - R220 Return

Naming

  • Nature Serve: An online encyclopedia of life (web application) (2004) Version 4.0 (01 July 2004). Arlington Virginia USA. Association for Biodiversity Information.. http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?init=Species - W020 Return

Number of Occurrences

  • Suzanne Carriere (2005) Pers. Comm.. - H126-05 Return

NWT SARC Assessment

  • SARC (2012) Species Status report on Woodland Caribou (Boreal popluation) in the NWT. - R220 Return

Population Size

SARC (2012) Species Status report on Woodland Caribou (Boreal popluation) in the NWT. - R220 Return

Range Extent

  • Kelsall JP (1984) Status report on the woodland caribou Rangifer tarandus dawsoni and Rangifer tarandus caribou in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R018 Return
  • Thomas, D. and Gray, David (2001) Updated COSEWIC status report on forest-dwelling woodland caribou, caribou des bois Rangifer tarandus caribou. Copy in RWED library - R140 Return

Short Term Trends

  • SARC (2012) Species Status report on Woodland Caribou (Boreal popluation) in the NWT. - R220 Return

Taxonomy

  • Kelsall JP (1984) Status report on the woodland caribou Rangifer tarandus dawsoni and Rangifer tarandus caribou in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R018 Return

Threats

  • SARC (2012) Species Status report on Woodland Caribou (Boreal popluation) in the NWT. - R220 Return