Northern Mountain Caribou
What are Northern Mountain Caribou?
Northern Mountain caribou is the collective name given to the 36 herds that make up the population of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) living in southern and central Yukon, the western Northwest Territories, and northern British Columbia. Woodland caribou are one of the four recognised subspecies of caribou found in Canada. Others include barren-ground caribou, Peary caribou and Grant’s caribou. Click here for a map of caribou distribution across Canada.
Northern Mountain Caribou Population
Canadian Distribution of the Woodland Caribou,
Northern Mountain population (shown in red) 1,2
1Author: Canadian Wildlife Service, 2004
2Data Source: COSEWIC Status Report
In the Management Plan, the term population refers to the COSEWIC designated Northern Mountain caribou population. Local or sub-populations within the population are called herds.
Northern Mountain Caribou Herds
Are Northern Mountain caribou an endangered or threatened species?
Not at this time, but planning is needed so that the caribou herds and their habitat are carefully monitored and managed in the future. Under SARA, Northern Mountain caribou are recognised as being of Special Concern, and at risk of becoming a threatened or endangered species, but not in danger of becoming extinct.
Factors such as development, variable weather, increases in recreational and hunting activity associated with greater access to caribou range and changing predator-prey relationships, and are all contributing to Northern Mountain caribou being at risk.
