Scientific Name: | Rangifer tarandus pop. 15 | ||||||||||
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English Name: | Caribou (Northern Mountain Population) | ||||||||||
Classification / Taxonomy | |||||||||||
Scientific Name - Concept Reference: | Heard, D. C., and K. L. Vagt. 1998. Caribou in British Columbia: a 1996 status report. Rangifer, Special Issue No. 10:117-123. | ||||||||||
Classification Level: | Population | ||||||||||
Species Group: | Vertebrate Animal | ||||||||||
Species Code: | M-RATA-15 | ||||||||||
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Conservation Status / Legal Designation | |||||||||||
Global Status: | G5T4T5Q (May 2013) | ||||||||||
Provincial Status: | S2S3 (Mar 2017) | ||||||||||
BC List: | Blue | ||||||||||
Provincial FRPA list: | Y (May 2004) | ||||||||||
Provincial Wildlife Act: | |||||||||||
COSEWIC Status: | Special Concern (May 2014) | ||||||||||
SARA Schedule: | 1 - Special Concern (Jan 2005) | ||||||||||
General Status Canada: | |||||||||||
Ecology & Life History | |||||||||||
General Description: | |||||||||||
Subspecies Comments: | All caribou in British Columbia belong to the woodland subspecies (Rangifer tarandus caribou) but can be further divided into three ecotypes based on differences in habitat use, behaviour and migration patterns (Heard and Vagt 1998). Northern Woodland Caribou live in west-central and northern British Columbia. During winter, these caribou use low elevation forests or windswept alpine ridges where they crater for terrestrial lichens. They also feed on arboreal lichens during winter but to a lesser extent than on terrestrial lichens. Mountain Woodland Caribou live in the snowbelt of south-eastern British Columbia, where, during winter they forage primarily for arboreal lichens in subalpine parkland forests. During summer, both Northern and Mountain Woodland Caribou are found in and around mountainous terrain. Boreal Woodland Caribou live in the lowlands of northeastern British Columbia throughout the year and do not have access to mountainous terrain. During winter, Boreal Woodland Caribou use large peatlands where they crater for terrestrial lichens, and feed on arboreal lichens to a lesser extent. | ||||||||||
Identification Comments: | Woodland Caribou belong to the deer family (Cervidae) and are unique among members of the deer family in that both males and females grow antlers. Antlers are flattened, complex, compact, and relatively dense compared with those of barren-ground caribou, with female antlers much smaller in size than male antlers. Their coat is mostly brown in the summer (more grey in the winter) with a white neck, mane, shoulder stripe, underbelly, underside of the tail, and patch just above each hoof. Mature females and males usually weigh 110-150 kg and 160-210 kg, respectively, and stand 1.0-1.2m in height at the shoulder (Thomas and Gray 2002). A distinctive characteristic of all caribou is large, rounded hooves that reduce sinking in snow and wetlands and act as shovels when digging for food under snow. The 'dew claws' are large, widely spaced, and set back on the foot, which greatly increases weight-bearing area and reduces 'foot loads.' | ||||||||||
Provincial Reproduction Comments: | The mating system of Northern Woodland Caribou is polygynous, with dominant bulls breeding with a number of cows in late September to mid-October. Gestation is about 230 days, and calves are born in early June or late May. Pregnant females seek secluded sites in alpine and subalpine habitats, and on islands in lakes to calve, as an anti-predator strategy. Northern Woodland Caribou in British Columbia exhibit two anti-predator strategies during calving including calving alone in isolated, often rugged locations, and calving on islands in lakes in low elevation forested habitat (Shoesmith and Storey 1977; Bergerud and Page 1987). Caribou only have one young per year and females do not generally breed until they are 2 years old (Northern Caribou Technical Advisory Committee 2005). Consequently, the population growth rate (lambda) rarely exceeds 1.26, or 26% per year. Although overall productivity is low, the pregnancy rate of females ranges from 90 to 97% (Seip and Cichowski 1996). Calf mortality during the first few months of life is high, often approaching 50% or greater. Causes of calf mortality may include predation, abandonment, accidents, and inclement weather. Calves generally make up 27-30% of the population at birth, but by recruitment age (1 yr old, after which mortality generally stabilizes to adult levels), their proportion is generally <20%. | ||||||||||
Provincial Ecology Comments: | The most important ecological factors for the long-term persistence of Northern Woodland Caribou populations are: the distribution of both high value anti-predator calving habitat and winter habitat; and, the ability for caribou to reduce predation on calves by "spacing away" from alternate prey species and predators (Seip and Cichowski 1996). Consequently, Northern Woodland Caribou require large areas of relatively undisturbed habitat. Currently, Northern Woodland Caribou local populations in British Columbia occupy annual ranges from 1,280 km2 to 17,000 km2 in size (Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection 2004). Home range sizes for individual caribou are highly variable depending on local population size and the horizontal movement distance between summer and winter ranges. Home ranges average 1100-1900 km2 for some local populations and 150 km2 for another (Hatler 1986; Terry and Wood 1999; Wood and Terry 1999; Poole et al. 2000). Population sizes and densities are also highly variable with population sizes ranging from 50 to 2500 caribou and population densities ranging from 19 caribou/1000 km2 to 264 caribou /1000km2. Because Northern Woodland Caribou feed primarily on terrestrial or arboreal lichens, they do not compete directly with other wildlife species for winter forage, and occupy a unique niche in the interior ecosystem. The combination of foraging on lichens (therefore requiring older forests for winter habitat), and calving in inhospitable mountainous terrain, distinguishes them from most other ungulates found in British Columbia. Although Northern Woodland Caribou do not compete with moose for forage, moose populations affect caribou populations by providing alternate prey for predators. Wolves appear to be the most significant predator on Northern Woodland Caribou, but bear predation during early summer contributes significant mortality in the western portion of their range (e.g. Tweedsmuir-Entiako, Rainbow) (R. Marshall, pers. comm.; J. Young, pers. comm.). Seip (1992) suggested that wolf predation can eliminate caribou from areas where the wolf population is sustained by other prey species because there is no negative feedback on the number of wolves as caribou decline in numbers. While Northern Woodland Caribou populations probably fluctuate naturally, the increase in moose populations in central B.C. during the 1900's has been associated with long-term declines in some caribou populations (Seip and Cichowski 1996). Caribou are usually the most vulnerable species in a multiple predator-prey system since they have low reproductive rates relative to other ungulates (Seip 1991). | ||||||||||
Migration Characteristics: (Global / Provincial) | |||||||||||
Nonmigrant: Local Migrant: Distant Migrant: Within Borders Migrant: |
N / N N / Y N / N na / N |
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Provincial Mobility & Migration Comments: | In British Columbia, Northern Woodland Caribou local populations exhibit variable seasonal movement and habitat use strategies. Some local populations or portions of local populations migrate long distances between summer and winter ranges while others do not. Individual caribou from the Tweedsmuir-Entiako local population can migrate over 150 km between winter and summer ranges. Fall migration between summer and winter ranges tends to be diffuse as caribou migrate in response to snow accumulation. Snowfall in November triggers caribou movement out of high elevation summer ranges to lower elevation early winter ranges. Early winter ranges may be adjacent to the summer range or some distance away. Spring migration is more concentrated than fall migration both geographically and temporally. In April and May, caribou migrate along relatively snow-free low elevation routes to reach summer ranges. Variation in migration behaviour reflects differences in topography, snow accumulation, availability of low elevation winter ranges, and distribution of predators and human activities between areas. | ||||||||||
Habitats: (Type / Subtype / Dependence) |
Alpine/Tundra / Alpine Grassland / Unknown
Alpine/Tundra / Alpine/Subalpine Meadow / Unknown Alpine/Tundra / Krummholtz / Facultative - frequent use Alpine/Tundra / Tundra / Facultative - frequent use Forest / Conifer Forest - Dry / Facultative - frequent use Forest / Conifer Forest - Mesic (average) / Facultative - frequent use Forest / Conifer Forest - Moist/wet / Facultative - occasional use Forest / Mixed Forest (deciduous/coniferous mix) / Facultative - occasional use Grassland/Shrub / Grassland / Facultative - frequent use Grassland/Shrub / Meadow / Facultative - frequent use Grassland/Shrub / Shrub - Natural / Facultative - frequent use Lakes / Lake / Facultative - occasional use Lakes / Pond/Open Water / Facultative - occasional use Other Unique Habitats / Avalanche Track / Facultative - occasional use Riparian / Riparian Forest / Facultative - occasional use Rock/Sparsely Vegetated Rock / Rock/Sparsely Vegetated Rock / Facultative - frequent use Wetland / Bog / Facultative - occasional use Wetland / Fen / Facultative - occasional use Wetland / Marsh / Facultative - occasional use Wetland / Swamp / Facultative - occasional use |
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Provincial Habitat Comments: | Northern Woodland Caribou typically use low elevation pine forests or windswept alpine slopes during winter, where they can crater for terrestrial lichens, and mountainous terrain during the summer months (Northern Caribou Technical Advisory Committee, 2005). During early winter, shallower snow depths allow caribou to use the higher and more open portions of their forested plateau winter ranges (Itcha-Ilgachuz), or low elevation forested habitat (Wolverine) that are abandoned if sufficient amounts of snow accumulates during mid- to late-winter. By mid- and late-winter, caribou have moved to low elevation forested winter ranges, or high elevation alpine/subalpine winter ranges. In low elevation forested habitat, caribou prefer older pine forests on drier sites where terrestrial lichens are abundant. Caribou also feed on arboreal lichens opportunistically as they travel between terrestrial lichen sites or seek arboreal lichens in forested wetlands and along wetland fringes where arboreal lichens are abundant. At higher elevations, caribou prefer windswept alpine slopes for cratering for terrestrial lichens. Subalpine forests are also used for arboreal lichen feeding, and to a lesser extent, terrestrial lichen feeding. By late April, caribou that migrate between winter and summer ranges begin moving back to calving and summering areas. Caribou that winter at higher elevations move to lower elevations in spring to take advantage of an earlier green-up. Spring ranges may be adjacent to late-winter ranges or may be a function of migration patterns. Female caribou reach calving areas by late May and calve in early June. Many caribou calve at higher elevations in alpine or subalpine habitat where food availability and quality is poor, to avoid other prey and predators that remain at lower elevations where nutritious forage is available. Caribou that calve below treeline may use islands in lakes, where they are available, as an anti-predator strategy. During summer, caribou prefer high elevation habitats but can be found in a variety of habitats at all elevations and are highly dispersed, more so than during any other season. During the rut in October, some caribou move to rutting areas at higher elevations while others rut within their summer ranges. Portions of some local populations concentrate on rutting ranges, usually in open alpine or subalpine habitat. Although foraging for terrestrial lichens during winter is a common feature of Northern Woodland Caribou, seasonal habitat use, especially use of higher elevation winter ranges, is variable. In general, caribou with access to low elevation winter ranges appear to prefer those winter ranges unless snow conditions preclude their use. In the Tweedsmuir-Entiako and Itcha-Ilgachuz areas, most caribou winter at low elevations throughout the winter with a smaller component of the population using alpine and subalpine habitat during all or part of the winter. In the Wolverine area, caribou use lower elevation habitat throughout the winter during low snow years but move up to windswept alpine slopes in late winter during heavy or normal snow years. Geographic differences in calving habitat use also occur. In west-central British Columbia, caribou are found in alpine habitat during calving. In north-central British Columbia, caribou often calve at or near treeline, presumably because of excessive snow loads in the alpine, and then move higher up as the summer progresses. Northern Woodland Caribou habitat experiences frequent large-scale disturbance events such as fire and forest insect attack. Recently, mountain pine beetle outbreaks have affected a number of Northern Woodland Caribou local populations in British Columbia. Fire suppression has limited the effects of fire on most Northern Woodland Caribou during the last 40 years. | ||||||||||
Food Habits: | |||||||||||
Global Food Habits Comments: | |||||||||||
Provincial Food Habits Comments: | Northern Woodland Caribou are characterized by feeding primarily on terrestrial lichens during winter. Preferred terrestrial lichens include Cladina sp., Cladonia sp., Cetraria sp. and Stereocaulon sp. Lichens are slow growing and compete poorly with mosses and vascular plants, and therefore grow best under conditions that are unfavourable to their competitors. They are often most abundant in older forests, or on sites with low productivity. In some areas, caribou require substantial areas of mature and old forests within their winter ranges for foraging. Northern Woodland Caribou also forage on arboreal lichens during winter, but to a lesser extent than on terrestrial lichens. Arboreal lichen use increases as snow hardness increases later in winter with melt/freeze conditions. During milder winters, frequent melt/freeze episodes could make cratering for terrestrial lichens difficult earlier in the winter, especially when ice crusts form close to the ground, forcing caribou to increase their reliance on arboreal lichens. Bryoria spp. are the most abundant arboreal lichens on most Northern Woodland Caribou winter ranges. During summer, Northern Woodland Caribou feed on a variety of vegetation including grasses, forbs, sedges, fungi, lichens and the leaves of shrubs. |
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Global Phenology: | |||||||||||
Provincial Phenology: (1st half of month/ 2nd half of month) |
Jan: Active / Active
Feb: Active / Active Mar: Active / Active Apr: Active / Active May: Active / Reproducing June: Reproducing / Active July: Active / Active Aug: Active / Active Sept: Active / Active Oct: Active / Active Nov: Active / Active Dec: Active / Active |
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Provincial Phenology Comments: | Northern Woodland Caribou are active throughout the year with calving generally occurring in early June and as early as late May. | ||||||||||
Colonial Breeder: | N | ||||||||||
Length(cm)/width(cm)/Weight(g): | / / | ||||||||||
Elevation (m) (min / max): |
Global:
Provincial: |
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Distribution | |||||||||||
Endemic: | N | ||||||||||
Authors / Contributors | |||||||||||
Global Information Author: | |||||||||||
Last Updated: | |||||||||||
Provincial Information Author: | Cichowski, D. | ||||||||||
Last Updated: | Mar 02, 2005 | ||||||||||
References and Related Literature | |||||||||||
B.C. Ministry of Environment. Recovery Planning in BC. B.C. Minist. Environ. Victoria, BC. |
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Bergerud, A.T., and R.E. Page. 1987. Displacement and dispersion of parturient caribou at calving as antipredator tactics. Can. J. Zool. 65:1597-1606. |
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British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection. 2004. Caribou in Accounts and measures for managing identified wildlife. British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, Victoria, BC. 52pp. |
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COSEWIC. 2002q. COSEWIC assessment and update status report on the woodland caribou Rangifer tarandus caribou in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. xi + 98 pp. |
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Goward, T.A. 2000. Fire, Terrestrial Lichens, and the Itcha-Ilgachuz Caribou. Pp. 665-669 in L.M. Darling, ed. 2000. Proc. Conf. on the Biology and Manage. Species and Habitats at Risk, Kamloops, B.C., 15-19 Feb., 1999. Vol. 2; B.C. Minist. Environ., Lands and Parks, Victoria, BC, and Univ. College of the Cariboo, Kamloops, BC. 520pp. |
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Hatler, D.F. 1986. Studies of radio-collared caribou in the Spatsizi Wilderness Park area, British Columbia. Spatsizi Assoc. For Biol. Res. Rep. No. 3. 202pp. |
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Hatter, I.W., J Quayle, and L R. Ramsay. 2004. A Conservation Status Assessment of the Mountain Caribou Ecotype Based on IUCN Red List Criteria. In T.D. Hooper, ed. Proc. of the Species at Risk 2004 Pathways to Recovery Conf. March 2-6, 2004, Victoria, B.C. Species at Risk 2004 Pathways to Recovery Conference Organizing Committee, Victoria, BC. 19pp. |
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Heard, D.C., and G.S. Watts. 2000. Connectivity and the Movements of Radio-Collared Caribou. Pp. 637-638 in L.M. Darling, ed. 2000. Proc. Conf. on the Biology and Manage. Species and Habitats at Risk, Kamloops, B.C., 15-19 Feb., 1999. Vol. 2; B.C. Minist. Environ., Lands and Parks, Victoria, BC, and Univ. College of the Cariboo, Kamloops, BC. 520pp. |
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Heard, D.C., and K.L. Vagt. 1998. Caribou in British Columbia: A 1996 status report. Rangifer, Spec. Issue 10:117-123. |
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Johnson, C.J., D.R. Seip, and M.S. Boyce. 2004. A quantitative approach to conservation planning: using resource selection functions to identify important habitats for mountain caribou. J. Appl. Ecol. 41:238-251. |
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Johnson, C.J., K.L. Parker, D.C. Heard, and D.R. Seip. 2004. Movements, foraging habits, and habitat use strategies of northern woodland caribou during winter: Implications for forest practices in British Columbia. Extension Note, BC Journal of Ecosystems and Manage. 5(1):22-35. |
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Kinley, T. 1999. Mountain Caribou. B.C. Minist. Environ., Lands and Parks, Wildl. Branch. 6pp. |
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Northern Caribou Technical Advisory Committee (NCTAC). 2005. A Strategy for the Recovery of Northern Caribou in the Southern Mountains National Ecological Area in British Columbia - Draft #6. Minist. Water, Land and Air Prot., Victoria, BC. In preparation. |
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Paquet, M. 2000. Caribou in British Columbia. B.C. Minist. Environ., Lands and Parks, Wildl. Branch. 6pp. |
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Poole, K.G., D.C. Heard, and G. Mowat. 2000. Habitat use by woodland caribou near Takla Lake in central British Columbia. Can. J. Zool. 78:1552-1561. |
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Seip, D., and D.B. Cichowski. 1996. Population ecology of the Caribou in British Columbia: Rangifer, Spec. Issue No. 9:73-80. |
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Seip, D.R. 1991. Predation and caribou populations. Rangifer Spec. Issue 7:46-52. |
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Seip, D.R. 1992. Factors limiting woodland caribou populations and their interrelationships with wolves and moose in southeastern British Columbia. Can. J. Zool. 70:1494-1503. |
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Seip. D. 2003. Winter distribution and abundance of mountain caribou in relation to habitat management zones in the Robson Valley: Project Report. Extension Note, B.C. J. Ecosystems and Manage. 4(2). FORREX publication. 9pp. |
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Shackleton, D. 1999. Hoofed Mammals of British Columbia. UBC Press in collaboration with Royal B.C. Mus. 272pp. |
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Shoesmith, M. W., and D.R. Storey. 1977. Movements and associated behaviour of woodland caribou in central Manitoba. Proc. Int. Congr. Game Biol. 13:51-64. |
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Simpson, K., and E. Terry. 2000. Impacts of Backcountry Recreation Activities on Mountain Caribou. B.C. Minist. Environ., Lands and Parks, Wildl. Branch. Working Rep. WR-99. 12pp. |
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Spalding, D.J. 2000. The Early History of Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in British Columbia. B.C. Minist. Environ., Lands and Parks, Wildl. Branch. Wildl. Bull. B-100. 61pp. |
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Terry, E.L., and M.D. Wood. 1999. Seasonal movements and habitat selection by woodland caribou in the Wolverine herd, north-central British Columbia. Phase 2: 1994-1997. Peace/Williston Fish and Wildl. Compensation Program Rep. No. 204. 36pp.+app. |
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Thomas, D.C., and D.R. Gray. 2002. Update COSEWIC status report on the woodland caribou Rangifer tarandus caribou in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. xi + 98pp. |
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Vanderstar, L., and R. Keim. 2000. Telkwa Caribou Herd Recovery Project (TCHRP). P. 671 in L.M. Darling, ed. 2000. Proc. Conf. on the Biology and Manage. Species and Habitats at Risk, Kamloops, B.C., 15-19 Feb., 1999. Vol. 2; B.C. Minist. Environ., Lands and Parks, Victoria, BC, and Univ. College of the Cariboo, Kamloops, BC. 520pp. |
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Wood, M.D., and E.L. Terry. 1999. Seasonal movement and habitat selection by woodland caribou in the Omineca Mountains, north-central British Columbia. Phase 1: The Chase and Wolverine herds (1991-1994). Peace/Williston Fish and Wildl. Compensation Program Rep. No. 201. 35pp.+app. |
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Youds, J., et al. 2002. Cariboo-Chilcotin Land Use Plan, Northern Caribou Strategy. B.C. Minist. Water, Land and Air Prot. Special report prepared for: Cariboo-Mid-Coast Interagency Management Committee. 84pp. |
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Please visit the website Conservation Status Ranks for definitions of the data fields used in this summary report.
B.C. Conservation Data Centre. Species Summary: Rangifer tarandus pop. 15. B.C. Minist. of Environment. Available: https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed Jul 2, 2025).