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Woodland Caribou
Woodland Caribou Canada’s Boreal is the only place on Earth where you can find forest-dwelling woodland caribou. © Ami Vitale

Stories in Canada

Canada's Reindeer

Protecting the last of the best herds of woodland caribou

August 04, 2019

When it comes to reindeer, most of us picture Rudolph dashing across the frozen North Pole. But a lesser-known cousin called woodland caribou dwell deep in Canada's Boreal Forest—and they're just as magical as Santa's variety.

Sadly, dwindling old-growth forests have led to declining populations across Canada, and boreal caribou are now considered a species threatened with extinction.

In response, The Nature Conservancy's Canadian affiliate, Nature United is safeguarding 10 woodland caribou herds in northwest Manitoba by mapping out where they have the best chance at a future and working with Indigenous peoples, government and industry to conserve these priority areas.

Woodland Caribou Facts

"Ninjas of the Forest" Unlike tundra-dwelling caribou that migrate in massive numbers , woodland caribou are reclusive creatures that live in small herds, deep in the forest. © Jay Elhard / NPS
Dependent on Forests During winter, forest-dwelling caribou sniff out and eat lichen growing underneath the snow on the forest floor. © peupleloup
Unusual Ungulates Woodland caribou are the only ungulates where both males and females have antlers. The males shed their antlers in fall after mating; females carry them through winter. © Ami Vitale
× "Ninjas of the Forest" Unlike tundra-dwelling caribou that migrate in massive numbers , woodland caribou are reclusive creatures that live in small herds, deep in the forest. © Jay Elhard / NPS
× Dependent on Forests During winter, forest-dwelling caribou sniff out and eat lichen growing underneath the snow on the forest floor. © peupleloup
× Unusual Ungulates Woodland caribou are the only ungulates where both males and females have antlers. The males shed their antlers in fall after mating; females carry them through winter. © Ami Vitale

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Manitoba is home to the last of the best herds of woodland caribou in Canada.

To better understand the situation, the Boreal Leadership Council, of which our Canadian affiliate Nature United is a partner, undertook an inventory and analysis of the various Indigenous research projects, monitoring programs, planning and management being conducted across the region. The resulting report concluded traditional knowledge is an essential element to successful caribou management.

By mapping large forest tracts that can be resilient to climate change, Nature United is working to conserve 10 herds in northwestern Manitoba, a region that contains the healthiest herds of forest-dwelling woodland caribou in Canada and some of the largest frontier forests remaining on Earth.

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