Collaboration for Caribou

The Bluenose-West caribou herd are barren-ground caribou that are culturally significant and a preferred source of food for Inuvialuit in Paulatuk. The herd calves every year in Tuktut Nogait National Park, which is one of the reasons the park was established. Prior to 1992, the population of the herd was as high as 112,000 adults but in the later 1990s, the population declined. It is likely a combination of various factors that caused the decline but, all parties agree that ongoing conservation actions are needed to help the herd recover. As of 2021, the herd is estimated to be at 18 440 individuals.

Every 3-5 years, the Government of the Northwest Territories and Parks Canada work together to estimate the size of the herd by conducting a photo census survey. Complementing this yearly survey, the Advisory Committee for Cooperation on Wildlife Management works with Traditional Knowledge holders to gather information regarding the current state of the herd.

Monitoring the herd’s population is important for two main reasons: 1) to understand and protect Bluenose-West caribou; and 2) to work alongside Inuvialuit and various government agencies in managing the herd while allowing opportunities for subsistence harvesting. A healthy caribou population is considered a sign that the tundra ecosystem is also healthy.