Woodland Caribou

Name

  • Common name: Woodland Caribou
  • Scientific name: Rangifer tarandus caribou
  • Order: Artiodactyla
  • Family: Cervidae
  • Indigenous names for this species may be available through the Yukon Native Language Centre. 

Also known as

Northern Mountain Caribou, Boreal Caribou

Viewing opportunities

  • Caribou can be viewed along and crossing Yukon highways in the winter.
  • The Robert Campbell Highway may allow you to spot part the Finlayson herd in winter. You can also see the Little Rancheria and Carcross herds during winter on the Alaska Highway near Watson Lake and Whitehorse.
  • In the summer, you can find Woodland Caribou in subalpine areas above the tree line, where they seek relief from insects.

Description

  • Dirty brown fur fading to tan to nearly off-white around the neck and white tail.
  • Face darker than rest of the body with a white muzzle.
  • White “socks” above the hooves.
  • Male antlers have one long curved branch with tines clustered at the top and a “shovel” branching over the forehead. Females also have antlers that are much smaller and not as elaborate.

Fast facts

  • Height: 120 centimetres
  • Weight: 180 kilograms (males); 135 kilograms (females)
  • Lifespan: 13 to 15 years
  • Predators: Wolves, Grizzly Bears, Wolverine, Golden Eagles
  • Habitat: Boreal Forest, Mountain Alpine

Conservation status

What is conservation status?

  • Yukon: S3 (Vulnerable)
  • Global: G5T4T5 (Secure/ subspecies Apparently Secure/Secure)

Yukon population estimate

41,000

Behaviour

Woodland Caribou roam in small herds moving from the boreal forest in winter, up into the alpine tundra in summer, although some herds also spend much of the winter on windswept alpine slopes. They're the only animals that forage substantially on lichen in the winter. Their hooves are perfectly designed to dig through the snow to access the lichens below. They're also efficient swimmers.

Diet

Lichen, grasses, sedges, willows, mushrooms

Distribution

See a map of the ranges of 24 caribou herds in the Yukon.

Sights and sounds

Woodland Caribou track, front: 10.2 x 13 cm.
Track in the mud.

Woodland Caribou scat from summer diet.

Caribou and people

  • Caribou is a popular animal for Yukon hunters, but the season and hunting areas are very carefully regulated to keep the populations healthy.
  • Woodland Caribou are very susceptible to disturbance from habitat loss and encroachment.

Southern Lakes Caribou

View a story map of Southern Lakes Caribou that includes recovery efforts, herd activity, collaring and capture information, and composition surveys.

Management plans

Download the Management Plan for the Chisana Caribou Herd.

Reports

Aishihik and Kluane Northern Mountain caribou herds:

Bonnett Plume Caribou Herd:

Carcross Caribou Herd:

Chisana Caribou Herd:

Clear Creek Caribou Herd:

Coal River Caribou Herd:

Finlayson Caribou Herd:

Ibex Caribou Herd:

Klaza Caribou Herd:

Laberge Caribou Herd:

Little Rancheria Caribou Herd:

Southern Lakes Caribou Herds:

South Nahanni and Coal River caribou herds:

Wolf Lake Caribou Herd:

Contact

For questions about caribou, email the ungulate biologist (caribou) at kelsey.russell@yukon.ca or phone: 867-667-5465 or toll free in the Yukon: 1-800-661-0408, ext. 5465.

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