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Conservation of caribou (Rangifer tarandus) in Canada: an uncertain future1This review is part of the virtual symposium “Flagship Species – Flagship Problems” that deals with ecology, biodiversity and management issues, and climate impacts on species at risk and of Canadian importance, including the polar bear (Ursus maritimus), Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus), and caribou (Rangifer tarandus).

Open access
Festa-Bianchet, M., Ray, J.C., Boutin, S., Côté, S.D., Gunn, A.·2011·Canadian Journal of Zoology
DOI 10.1139/z11-025
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Abstract

Caribou ( Rangifer tarandus (L., 1758)) play a central role in the ecology and culture of much of Canada, where they were once the most abundant cervid. Most populations are currently declining, and some face extirpation. In southern Canada, caribou range has retreated considerably over the past century. The ultimate reason for their decline is habitat alterations by industrial activities. The proximate causes are predation and, to a lesser extent, overharvest. The most southerly populations of “Mountain” caribou are at imminent risk of extirpation. Mountain caribou are threatened by similar industrial activities as Boreal caribou, and face increasing harassment from motorized winter recreational activities. Most populations of “Migratory Tundra” caribou are currently declining. Although these caribou fluctuate in abundance over decades, changing harvest technologies, climate change, increasing industrial development and human presence in the North raise doubts over whether recent declines will be followed by recoveries. The Peary caribou ( Rangifer tarandus pearyi J.A. Allen, 1902), a distinct subspecies endemic to Canada’s High Arctic, has suffered drastic declines caused by severe weather, hunting and predation. It faces an increasing threat from climate change. While some questions remain about the reasons for the decline of Migratory Tundra caribou, research has clearly identified several threats to the persistence of “Boreal”, Mountain, and Peary caribou. Scientific knowledge, however, has neither effectively influenced policies nor galvanized public opinion sufficiently to push governments into effective actions. The persistence of many caribou populations appears incompatible with the ongoing pace of industrial development.

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Crossref · 10.1139/z11-025

Cites

115 of 115 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Some caribou declines may be linked to subtler changes in plant phenology, fire regimes, accessibility to predators, and densities of alternative prey.

    “some caribou declines may be linked to subtler changes in plant phenology, fire regimes, the accessibility of caribou to their predators, and densities of alternative prey (Vors andBoyce 2009, Festa-Bianchet et al. 2011).”

    From Animal migration amid shifting patterns of phenology and predation: lessons from a Yellowstone elk herd (2013) · cites this paper as Festa-Bianchet et al. 2011

    The Boreal and Mountain caribou section links declines to habitat changes, predation, altered alternative-prey abundance, and wolves’ travel efficiency; it also says increasing fire events could reduce recruitment and survival. The Migratory Tundra caribou section discusses changing plant-growth timing, but says that change may benefit caribou rather than linking it to declines. No page numbers were available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.82)

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  • Global declines in ungulate migration have raised concern, including in wildebeest, saiga, pronghorn, and caribou.

    “In recent years, however, concern has grown over global declines in ungulate migration, including such diverse species as wildebeest (Connochaetus taurinus), saiga (Saiga tatarica), pronghorn (Antilocapra americana), and caribou (Rangifer tarandus) (Berger 2004, Bolger et al. 2008, Festa-Bianchet et al. 2011).”

    From Animal migration amid shifting patterns of phenology and predation: lessons from a Yellowstone elk herd (2013) · cites this paper as Festa-Bianchet et al. 2011

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Cites

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2 of the 117 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 7

  1. Gasaway, W.C., Stephenson, R.O., Davis, J.L., Sheperd, P.E.K., and Burris, O.E. 1983. Interrelationships of wolves, prey, and man in interior Alaska. Wildl. Monogr. No. 84. pp. 1-50.
  2. Gunn, A. 2001. Conservation and resource use in Arctic ecosystems. In Conservation of exploited species. Edited by R.D. Reynolds, G. M. Mace, K.H. Redford, and J.G. Robinson. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. pp. 424-439.
  3. Hayes, R.D., Farnell, R., Ward, R.M.P., Carey, J., Dehn, M., Kuzyk, G.W., Baer, A.M., Gardner, C.L., and O'Donoghue, M. 2003. Experimental reduction of wolves in the Yukon: ungulate responses and management implications. Wildl. Monogr. No. 152. pp. 1-35.
  4. Hummel, M., and Ray, J.C. (Editors). 2008. Caribou and the North: a shared future. Dundurn Press Ltd., Toronto, Ont.
  5. Latham, A.D.M. 2009. Wolf ecology and caribou-primary prey-wolf spatial relationships in low productivity peatland complexes in northeastern Alberta. Ph.D. thesis, Department of Biological Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton.
  6. Schaefer, J.A. 2008. Boreal forest caribou. In Caribou and the North: a shared future. Edited by M. Hummel and J. Ray. Dundurn Press Ltd., Toronto, Ont. pp. 223-237.
  7. Seip, D., and McLellan, B. 2008. Mountain caribou. In Caribou and the North: a shared future. Edited by M. Hummel and J. Ray. Dundurn Press Ltd., Toronto, Ont. pp. 240-255

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Authors
Festa-Bianchet, M., Ray, J. C., Boutin, S., Côté, S. D., & Gunn, A.
Affiliations
  • Département de biologie et Centre d’études Nordiques, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada.
  • Wildlife Conservation Society Canada (CA)
  • University of Alberta (CA)
  • Center for Northern Studies (CA)
  • 368 Roland Road, Salt Spring Island, BC V8K 1V1, Canada.
ORCID
Venue
Canadian Journal of Zoology
Publisher
Canadian Science Publishing
Published
2011-05
Volume
89
Issue
5
Pages
419-434
ISSN
  • 0008-4301 (ISSN-L)
  • 1480-3283
DOI
10.1139/z11-025
OpenAlex
W1791351279
Cited by
426
References
117
Citations by year
2026: 20 · 2025: 23 · 2024: 22 · 2023: 29 · 2022: 32 · 2021: 37 · 2020: 42 · 2019: 31 · 2018: 28 · 2017: 31 · 2016: 20 · 2015: 30 · 2014: 28 · 2013: 29 · 2012: 20
FWCI
22.60
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.nrcresearchpress.com/page/about/CorporateTextAndDataMining (tdm)
Locations
  • Canadian Journal of Zoology (publishedVersion)
  • Corpus Université Laval (Université Laval) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Wildlife Conservation Society
  • Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Rangeland and Wildlife Management
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation
Keywords
reindeer, caribou conservation, population decline (ecology), extirpation risk, mountain caribou, boreal caribou, Peary caribou, predation, overharvesting, climate change impacts, wildlife policy, threatened species

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