Caribou conservation

Wapusk National Park

Caribou are an essential part of the northern Manitoba ecosystem and vital to northern communities. Valued as part of Indigenous culture, the caribou remains connected to Indigenous values and serve as a way to sustain life. Caribou provide food, clothing, tools and more. However, across much of Canada, caribou populations are in decline. Wapusk National Park, along with regional community members, are currently co-developing strategies on how to sustain healthy caribou herds in the region.

Manitoban Herds

Caribou found in Wapusk belong to one of two designatable units (DU), or populations: the barren-ground (DU 3) and eastern migratory (DU 4) populations. Within the eastern migratory population, the Cape Churchill herd is the most common type of caribou found in Wapusk National Park. From the barren-ground population, the Qamanirjuaq herd migrates into Northern Manitoba and occasionally can be found as far south as the park.

An aerial view of four adult caribou and four calves grazing on grass.
Caribou in Wapusk National Park.

Cape Churchill Herd

Data for the Cape Churchill herd suggests that here has consistently been a fluctuation between 1,000 to 3,000 animals over the past 25 years. The Cape Churchill herd is a unique forest-tundra ecotype with a large portion of their range contained within Wapusk National Park. The herd spends winters in the southwestern portion of Wapusk National Park's boreal forest to shelter from the harsh subarctic winter climate. In the summer months, they migrate nearly 200 kilometres to their calving grounds on the tundra, found near the northern shores of the park at Cape Churchill.

Qamanirjuaq Herd

The Qamanirjuaq herd is a larger herd with an estimated population of 288,000 caribou in 2017. Despite seeming to have a healthy population, the herd has been on a steady and significant decline for more than three decades as population estimates suggested almost 500,000 animals in 1994. Covering a large territory, this herd resides in portions of Manitoba, Nunavut, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories. The herd calves in the vicinity of Qamanirjuaq Lake in Nunavut.

Threats to Caribou

Climate change

Although caribou are resilient and have adapted to living in harsh climates, they are not exempt from issues caused by climate change. Changes in climate are regularly mentioned as key threats to the future of caribou. Some changes have already occurred, such as earlier snowmelt, later onset of winter and warmer temperatures. In the coming decades, climate change will continue to pose as a threat to caribou populations in a variety of ways. For example, rising temperatures are likely to increase the period of insect harassment. When caribou are bothered by insects, they tend to form larger groups, and/or try to escape harassment by moving to windy locations that can offer refuge. This behaviour has a negative impact as caribou spend more energy trying to avoid insect harassment rather than feeding. 

Also, climate change is likely to lead to an increase in wildfires. Wildfires can cause significant harm to the herd by eliminating tree cover in the overwintering grounds and by eliminating the main caribou food source on the tundra: Lichens. Some studies suggest that lichens do not recover from wildfires for close to 75 years.

Harvesting

Harvesting of caribou is vital to sustaining northern communities and Indigenous culture. There are challenges, though, including ensuring that sustainable harvesting occurs and that hunters follow proper practices. The exact impact of harvesting is unknown; however, it is clear from both scientific and Indigenous Knowledge sources that reducing harvesting pressure plays a part in helping herds recover.

Predators

Wolves are the main predator of caribou across Canada. Polar bears, grizzly bears, black bears, lynx and wolverines in Wapusk are also known to kill caribou or scavenge caribou killed by other factors.

Five caribou walking in a straight line toward the right of the image.
Caribou in Wapusk National Park.

Habitat Loss

Habitat loss has been argued as one of the main drivers behind declines in caribou populations. Disruptions to caribou habitat from human activities such as mining, logging, oil and gas development, power lines, human settlements, cabins, roads and trails can greatly impact caribou. Some studies suggest that caribou will avoid these different types of disturbances on the landscape for up to 23 km. Human structures and features on the landscape can disrupt migration routes, increase movement rates or delay crossing of linear anthropogenic features such as roads, trails and power lines, potentially increasing energy expenditure or reducing the time caribou spend in suitable habitat. Caribou are particularly sensitive to human disturbances resulting in habitat loss on the landscape and their cumulative effects are thought to have contributed to the general decline of caribou across Canada.

Conservation efforts

Habitat protection

Wapusk National Park protects an area from commercial development and limits human disruption. Through the protection of over 11,475 square kilometres, the park assists in the protection of the Cape Churchill Caribou herd’s calving grounds, migration routes and portions of their overwintering habitat. Also, Wapusk National Park supports the establishment of additional protected areas in Northern Manitoba such as the Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area proposals through the Nature Legacy and Canada Nature Funds. Together with Canadians, we are conserving a quarter of our lands and a quarter of our oceans by 2025.

Research and Monitoring

Parks Canada continues to conduct a variety of monitoring efforts to learn more about caribou in Wapusk National Park. Through partnering with community members, Indigenous communities and researchers, a large trail camera project is underway to monitor both locally and regionally. Additionally, working with our partners helps facilitate research efforts in the park including aerial surveys, identifying calving grounds and vegetation surveys. Research and monitoring efforts continues to get collected through various land-based research methods leading to a number of recommended management activities. This data also helps researchers better understand the dynamics of caribou populations that inhabit Wapusk National Park.

Other monitoring efforts include installing trail cameras to help map caribou and general wildlife distribution. This project is a collaboration between Parks Canada, the University of Saskatchewan and the Manitoba Métis Federation. In 2021, a team comprised of representatives from the three organizations headed into the park together to successfully deploy a total of 92 trail cameras in various distinct habitats throughout the park.

Caribou Workshop

About the workshops

Fourteen people sit in chairs in a C shape. Toward the right of the image is a caribou pelt on the floor.
The 2020 caribou workshop for Wapusk National Park and the Greater Wapusk Ecosystem.

Effective caribou conservation requires cooperation and coordination from various partners and communities. Parks Canada has organized a series of workshops to bring together Indigenous partners (Cree, Dene, Inuit and Métis), government stakeholders (Environment and Climate Change Canada, Parks Canada, provincial and territorial representatives), academic researchers and local community members to share Indigenous and Local Knowledge and western science perspectives surrounding caribou in Wapusk National Park and the Greater Wapusk Ecosystem. The first workshop was held face-to-face in February 2020, and the second virtually in February 2021.

The goal of the workshops is to strengthen and form new relationships, highlight areas of concern, identify knowledge gaps and outline priority actions for effective caribou monitoring and management.

Indigenous voices and knowledge systems were woven throughout the workshop and brought forward a set of diverse themes that helped identify conservation priorities. Participants identified opportunities to support biological and culturally appropriate methods of conservation as well as ways to advance reconciliation through conservation efforts. Wapusk National Park is looking forward to continuing to develop this framework with its partners. Parks Canada is committed to collaborative planning at the landscape scale, respecting Indigenous rights and knowledge systems and creating opportunities for Indigenous stewardship.

A large illustrated infographic stands on a table with boots, gloves, slippers, pelts and pamphlets in front of it. 
The 2020 caribou workshop for Wapusk National Park and the Greater Wapusk Ecosystem.

Workshop attendees

Representatives from the following communities and organizations have attended past workshops:

  • Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society - Manitoba Chapter
  • Environment and Climate Change Canada
  • Fox Lake First Nation
  • Government of Manitoba
  • Government of Nunavut
  • Kivalliq Inuit Association
  • Manitoba Métis Federation
  • Northlands Denesuline First Nation
  • Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated
  • Parks Canada
  • Sayisi Dene First Nation
  • The Beverly Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board
  • Town of Churchill
  • University of Saskatchewan
  • York Factory First Nation
  • Government of Manitoba

Workshop outcomes

The workshop focused on discussing collaborative solutions and actions to ensure the protection of the Cape Churchill and Qamanirjuaq caribou herds. During the most recent workshop in 2021, five key themes emerged through discussions as critical to ensure effective caribou conservation:

  • engaging and educating youth;
  • meaningful government engagement;
  • raising cultural awareness of Indigenous-led efforts;
  • protecting caribou habitat;
  • co-monitoring and co-management.

2020 infographic slides
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A graphic illustration titled “Knowledge sharing, relationship building” caribou workshop from Feb 13, 2020. Many smaller drawings show illustrations that represent working together in a good way, weaving our ways together, respect, experiences together, need for Elders and youth, the pan-Canadian approach to species at risk conservation, priority places, priority species, priority sectors and threats, help with recovery and protection for the future, tracking populations across boundaries, habitat data can help inform and predict, and more. Designed by ThinkLink graphics.
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A graphic illustration titled “Next steps” from a caribou workshop held on Feb. 13, 2020. Many smaller drawings show illustrations that ask the questions: What will you remember and carry with you from today? What work can continue? and What are the gaps? Other illustrations highlight continued connection between youth and elders and between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, weaving Western science and Indigenous knowledge systems to create understanding and accessibility, the importance of engaging research, decisions involving elders, continued education and knowledge sharing, protection, filling knowledge gaps, developing monitoring goals and plans, defining a mission and goals, and more. Designed by ThinkLink graphics.
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A graphic illustration titled “Sharing our ways” from a caribou workshop held on Feb. 13, 2020. Many smaller drawings show illustrations that highlight the Seal River Watershed Initiative, consultation, traditional land use, the importance of caribou for survival, using the whole animal, honouring the caribou, telling the history of the Sayisi Dene, bringing communities together, and more. Designed by ThinkLink graphics.
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A graphic illustration titled “Tuktu Edteën Puskwa Atik” from a caribou workshop held on Feb. 13, 2020. Many smaller drawings show illustrations that highlight respecting caribou, seasonal ranges and migration routes, caribou in the north (tuktu), that the mapping project is helping, that we all need to work together as stewards of the land, and more. Designed by ThinkLink graphics.

2021 infographic slides
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A graphic illustration titled “Moving forward” from a caribou workshop held Feb. 4, 2021. Many smaller drawings show illustrations that represent the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board, Nunavut Tunnagik Inc., Mitchell Campbell and Earl Evans. Messages highlight Indigenous knowledge, that linear structures – like roads – impact migration, many elders have been lost, that caribou don’t know borders and must be protected, and more. Designed by ThinkLink graphics.
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A graphic illustration titled “We all care” from a caribou workshop held Feb. 4, 2021. Many smaller drawings show illustrations that represent connecting through sharing circles and united listening and learning with government, a population survey update including education and outreach and the trail camera project, and highlighting the message to develop a stewardship community, that 9/10 Manitobans support conservation, and that the caribou are not ours, we have lost a generation of elders and we need to have meaningful conservation to save caribou and more. Designed by ThinkLink graphics.
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A graphic illustration titled “Next steps: river of change” from a caribou workshop held Feb. 5, 2021. The illustration shows paddlers in canoes representing the who, the how, the what and the when. There is also a list of five items: Intergenerational divide and youth, meaningful government engagement and education, traditional knowledge and self awareness, habitat protection, and co-monitoring and co-management. Designed by ThinkLink graphics.
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A graphic illustration titled “Threats” from a caribou workshop held Feb. 5, 2021. Many smaller drawings show illustrations that represent climate change, industry, overharvesting while highlighting the Hudson Bay Lowland Study, York Factory First Nation, and the Manitoba Métis Federation. Designed by ThinkLink graphics.

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