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Taxonomy

Group:

Mammal (Terrestrial Mammal)

Kingdom:

Animalia

Phylum:

Chordata

Class:

Mammalia

Order:

Artiodactyla

Family:

Cervidae

References:

General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

3 years, but depends on body condition.

References:

R122

Longevity

12-16 years

References:

R122

Economic/Human Considerations

hunted for food

References:

Habitat

In summer, use poorly to moderately vegetated xeric (beach ridges) to mesic (slopes of river valleys) habitats. Needs windswept areas with shallow snow cover in winter. Traditional calving grounds known on Banks, Prince of Wales, and Victoria islands.

References:

Distribution

Ecozones

Northern Arctic, Southern Arctic

References:

Distribution

Extent of occurrence 530,000 km2, index of area of occupancy (entire herd): 345,288 km2.

Score:

G = 2

References:

R122

Number of Occurrences

1 herd

Score:

A = 1

References:

Area of Occupancy

Only a small percentage of area is actually suitable for foraging (R019), generally stable (H110).

Score:

References:

Population

Population Size

Population size: 18,400 (2015 , other survey done in October 2007, surveys of caribou staging along the south coast of Victoria Island led to population estimates 21,753 ± 2,343 (SE) caribou (uncorrected to account for caribou assumed to be outside of the census zone).

Score:

F = 1

References:

Density

~ 0.86 per 100 sq. kms

Trends

Decline of about 56% over the last 3 generations (using surveys 1997-2015). Possibilities of future large declines if large moralities occur crossing the Dease Strait.

Score:

D = d

References:

Threats

Over-hunting or wounding loss, predation, changes in sea ice formation, and other effects of climate change on vegetation and parasite loads, potentially threatened by drowning during ice crossings, and drowning events are seen as being on the increase.

Score:

BC =

References:

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Icing on snow and vegetation, increased shipping and industrial development.

Score:

References:

General Status Rank

Rank:

At Risk

Status Rank Description:

Some significant threats, needs special attention, assessed as Special Concern (COSEWIC 2004). Genetically unlike other barren-ground or Peary caribou (Gunn, 2004).

S Rank:

Decision Process Description:

Revised in 2004 based on new COSEWIC report and pers. comm. New status due to taxonomic grouping changes in new COSEWIC report. Reviewed in 2010, no change. Assessed as a species of Special Concern in the NWT (SARC, 2013). Reviewed in 2015, no change. Reviewed in 2020, modified from sensitive to at risk, based on re-assessment by COSEWIC (2017).

Last Updated:

March 13, 2026

Status Designations

NWT - Assessment by Species at Risk Committee

NWT SARC Assessment:

Endangered

2023

References:

NWT - Species at Risk Legal Status

NWT Status Rank:

Endangered

2024 (http://www.nwtspeciesatrisk.ca/species/dolphin-and-union-caribou)

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

COSEWIC Status:

Endangered

The original designation considered a single unit that included Peary caribou, Rangifer tarandus pearyi, and what is now known as the Dolphin and Union population of caribou, Rangifer tarandus. It was assigned a status of Threatened in April 1979. Split to allow designation of three separate populations in 1991: Banks Island (Endangered), High Arctic (Endangered) and Low Arctic (Threatened) populations. In May 2004, all three population designations were de-activated, and the Peary caribou, Rangifer tarandus pearyi, was assessed separately from the Dolphin and Union population of caribou, Rangifer tarandus.

References: