Species At Risk

Boreal Woodland Caribou Fact Sheet

Manitoba recognizes three varieties of caribou: coastal, barren ground and boreal woodland.

The two coastal herds of woodland caribou occur in Manitoba adjacent to Hudson Bay. Although current population estimates are not available, the Pen Island herd was recently estimated at 10,000 animals and the second herd between the Churchill and Nelson Rivers was estimated at 5,000 animals. Animals in these herds are lighter in colour and, much like barren ground caribou, occur in large wandering herds. Licensed hunting is permitted on both of these herds but the licenses are limited and because of the inaccessible areas inhabited by them, the harvest is small.

The boreal woodland caribou occur in a broad geographic range across the boreal forest region of central Manitoba. These caribou are widely dispersed in the boreal zone from approximately the Black Lake area in the southeast to the Lynn Lake area in the northwest.

Where available, Manitoba Conservation has used radio telemetry data to identify 10 distinct areas that are used by local herds. Some herds move substantial distances and use different parts of their home range on a seasonal basis. Others are more sedentary. Many on the east side of Lake Winnipeg move to the lowland string bogs adjacent to Lake Winnipeg in winter, and in summer, migrate east to the lakes of the boreal region with some going into Ontario.

The current estimated population ranges from about 1,800 to 3,150. It is believed that the provincial population is stable. In western Canada, boreal woodland caribou are listed as "threatened" by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). Manitoba’s boreal woodland caribou populations were listed as threatened under The Endangered Species Act in June, 2006.

Caribou habitats east of Lake Winnipeg, and those near Wabowden and the Kississing and Naosap areas in the northwest, are impacted by logging and loss of habitats due to wildfire. Roads and rights-of-way development facilitate the movement of predators and increase the potential for human disturbance, which can impact caribou on these ranges. Recreational development in southeastern Manitoba has applied similar pressures through increased access, service line development and higher levels of human activity.

Nevertheless, boreal woodland caribou continue to use traditional areas. Management efforts are directed at ensuring that boreal woodland caribou remain part of the wildlife mosaic in Manitoba for centuries to come. Currently there are boreal woodland caribou management teams in place in both the eastern and northwest regions of Manitoba Conservation and are comprised of First Nations, industry, local wildlife associations, various government departments, the Manitoba Model Forest and Manitoba Hydro.

Manitoba has released a document entitled "Manitoba's Conservation and Recovery Strategy for Boreal Woodland Caribou". You can download a PDF of this strategy, in English (673 KB) or French (592 KB) to view and/or print it. This strategy sets the goals and objectives for this species in Manitoba and will be followed by action plans for those ranges which are currently considered 'high risk".