SPECIES STATUS REPORT Porcupine Caribou and Barren-ground Caribou (Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula, Cape Bathurst, Bluenose-West, Bluenose- East, Bathurst, Beverly, Ahiak, and Qamanirjuaq herds) Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus Tuktu, Tuktuvialuit, Tuttuvialuk (Inuvialuktun – Inuinnaqtun, Siglitun, and Ummarmiutun dialects) Vadzaıh (Gwich’in) Ekw , h zı e w ( ıch ) Ɂe we e e ed ( ah ene – ı ne ı ’a and G d e i e a e dia ec ) Nódi (South Slavey - ’ dehche dialect) Ɂe h n (Chipewyan) Atihk (Cree) Caribou de la toundra (French) in the Northwest Territories NOT AT RISK – Porcupine caribou THREATENED – Barren-ground caribou April 2017 Status of Porcupine Caribou and Barren-ground Caribou in the NWT Species at Risk Committee status reports are working documents used in assigning the status of species suspected of being at risk in the Northwest Territories (NWT). Suggested citation: Species at Risk Committee. 2017. Species Status Report for Porcupine Caribou and Barren-ground Caribou (Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula, Cape Bathurst, Bluenose-West, Bluenose-East, Bathurst, Beverly, Ahiak, and Qamanirjuaq herds) (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus) in the Northwest Territories. Species at Risk Committee, Yellowknife, NT. © Government of the Northwest Territories on behalf of the Species at Risk Committee ISBN#: 978-0-7708-0252-3 For additional copies contact: Species at Risk Secretariat c/o SC6, Department of Environment and Natural Resources P.O. Box 1320 Yellowknife, NT X1A 2L9 Tel.: (855) 783-4301 (toll free) Fax.: (867) 873-0293 E-mail: [email protected] www.nwtspeciesatrisk.ca ABOUT THE SPECIES AT RISK COMMITTEE The Species at Risk Committee was established under the Species at Risk (NWT) Act. It is an independent committee of experts responsible for assessing the biological status of species at risk in the NWT. The Committee uses the assessments to make recommendations on the listing of species at risk. The Committee uses objective biological criteria in its assessments and does not consider socio-economic factors. Assessments are based on species status reports that include the best available aboriginal traditional knowledge, community knowledge and scientific knowledge of the species. The status report is approved by the Committee before a species is assessed. ABOUT THIS REPORT This species status report is a comprehensive report that compiles and analyzes the best available information on the biological status of Porcupine caribou and barren-ground caribou in the NWT, as well as existing and potential threats and positive influences. Full guidelines for the preparation of species status reports, including a description of the review process, may be found at www.nwtspeciesatrisk.ca. Environment and Natural Resources, Government of the Northwest Territories, provides full administrative and financial support to the Species at Risk Committee. Cover illustration photo credit: John Nagy Page ii Status of Porcupine Caribou and Barren-ground Caribou in the NWT Production note: The drafts of this report were prepared by John Blyth and Adam Bathe (traditional and community knowledge component) and Kim Poole and Anne Gunn (scientific knowledge component), under contract with the Government of the Northwest Territories. A group of traditional knowledge holders and specialists from the Species at Risk Committee (SARC) met on January 9, 2017 to initiate discussion of the draft status report. As a result of that discussion, a targeted review of the traditional and community knowledge component was undertaken by SARC‘s appointed traditional knowledge holders and specialists to verify and ensure the accuracy, completeness, and cultural appropriateness of this status report.This represents a new effort by SARC to support balanced consideration of traditional and community knowledge and science. Extensive revisions to the scientific knowledge component was also undertaken by SARC in January 2017. This status report benefitted from the simultaneous drafting of a status report for the assessment of barren-ground caribou under the federal Species at Risk Act (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada [COSEWIC] 2016). Many of the sections in the scientific knowledge component of this report and the COSWIC (2016) report were drafted simultaneously and therefore contain the same content. SARC acknowledges the help of the Terrestrial Mammal Sub-committee of COSEWIC for their work. Page iii Status of Porcupine Caribou and Barren-ground Caribou in the NWT Assessment of Porcupine Caribou Herd The Northwest Territories Species at Risk Committee met in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories on April 5, 2017 and assessed the biological status of the Porcupine caribou herd, a geographically distinct population of barren-ground caribou in the Northwest Territories. The assessment was based on this approved status report. The assessment process and objective biological criteria used by the Species at Risk Committee are available at: www.nwtspeciesatrisk.ca. Assessment: Not at risk in the Northwest Territories The species has been assessed and is not currently at risk of extinction given the current circumstances. Reasons for the assessment: The Porcupine caribou herd fits criterion (a) for not at risk. (a) The species has been assessed and it does not qualify for designation as Extinct, Extirpated, Endangered, Threatened, Special Concern, or Data Deficient. Main Factors: The Porcupine herd‘s population has been increasing over the past three caribou generations and the current population estimate is the highest since standardized population techniques started being used in the early 1970s. Since 2001, Porcupine herd birth rates, June calf survival, and post-calving survival have remained relatively strong in most years. Specific international and interjurisdictional co-management structures are well- established and functioning to address concerns with the Porcupine herd. Harvest for the Porcupine herd is led by a Harvest Management Plan. The main threats are: o Human activity within Porcupine caribou habitat, such as increased hunting access and potential future mineral and oil and gas exploration and development. o Climate change-related habitat changes have been noted (e.g., deep snow, melting permafrost, changes in the timing of spring green-up, increase in shrub cover). Additional Factors: Most caribou herds in the circumpolar north are in decline. Currently, Porcupine caribou are an exception as the herd has shown an increase over the last three caribou generations (about 25 years). Caribou populations are known to fluctuate, so future declines in Porcupine caribou population are anticipated. Such declines may be exacerbated by changes in climate and habitat interactions that are not fully understood. Caribou Page iv Status of Porcupine Caribou and Barren-ground Caribou in the NWT populations are in decline globally and there is concern that there is an overarching cause exerting its influence globally that could impact Porcupine caribou in the future. Currently, their calving grounds in Alaska are protected by the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. However, the potential for oil and gas development on the calving grounds has increased substantially following the 2016 presidential election in the United States. The current United States‘ administration has indicated support for opening onshore and offshore leasing for energy projects. Positive influences on Porcupine caribou and their habitat: In addition to the effective management mentioned previously, the calving grounds of the Porcupine caribou herd are currently protected by the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Recommendations: Given the importance of Porcupine caribou to the people of the NWT and what‘s happening with other barren-ground caribou herds in the circumpolar north, the Species at Risk Committee recommends that the Porcupine herd be closely monitored and that management continue. If evidence emerges in the future that it is following the same trajectory as the other eight barren-ground caribou herds, the Species at Risk Committee recommends it be considered for re-assessment. If potential threats to the Porcupine calving grounds become reality, for example, the opening of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas development, then re-assessment may be needed. Given that the Porcupine caribou herd seems to be an exception to the global decline in barren-ground caribou herds, consideration should be given to increasing traditional knowledge and scientific research into the underlying causes of barren-ground caribou population dynamics and habitat changes. Page v Status of Porcupine Caribou and Barren-ground Caribou in the NWT Assessment of Barren-ground Caribou The Northwest Territories Species at Risk Committee met in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories on April 5, 2017 and assessed the biological status of barren-ground caribou in the Northwest Territories (including the Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula, Cape Bathurst, Bluenose-West, Bluenose-East, Bathurst, Beverly, Ahiak, and Qamanirjuaq herds).The assessment was based on this approved status report. The assessment process and objective biological criteria used by the Species at Risk Committee are available at: www.nwtspeciesatrisk.ca. Assessment: Threatened in the Northwest Territories Likely to become endangered in the Northwest Territories if nothing is done to reverse the factors leading to its extirpation or extinction. Reasons for the assessment: Barren-ground caribou fit criterion (a) for Threatened. (a) There is evidence that the population