State of Wild Reindeer Herds

D. Russell

Scientist Emeritus, Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, Yukon, Canada

Click to see Biology Summary

Rangifer (wild reindeer and caribou) herds across the circumpolar north have long been characterized by periods of abundance and periods of scarcity. Recent population estimates indicate we may be entering a period of declining numbers. Populations that have been increasing at a steady rate since the early to mid 1970’s are either showing signs of peaking or beginning to decline. Figure R1 shows the current status of selected Rangifer (the major migratory herds and herds being monitoring as part of the CircumArctic Rangifer Monitoring and Assessment (CARMA) Network.

• Two of the largest herds, which had been stable, have shown a decline based on current counts. The Western Arctic Herd dropped 25% to 377,000 animals between 2003 and 2006. The Taimyr Herd in Russia is estimated at 750,000 animals, down from a high of 1,000,000 animals in 2000.
• In the Ungava Peninsula of Canada the George River (385,000, decreasing) and the Leaf River Herd (628,000, increasing) were last counted in 2001 and, thus, recent trends are not available. At that time, however, the total population of caribou in the Ungava had declined from about 1.13 million in 1994. Managers believe the 2 herds are a meta-population with no marked genetic differentiation between the two herds.
• The Porcupine Caribou Herd was one of the first herds to decline, dropping from a high of 178,000 in 1989 to 123,000 in 2001. Repeated attempted to provide a current estimate of the herd have failed.
• In the central barrens of Northwest Territories and Nunavut herds have declined by as much as 80% in the last 5 years. These dramatic declines have local agencies and user communities preparing for resource shortages in the near future.
• See: http://www.nwtwildlife.com/NWTwildlife/caribou/newsreleasesept06.htm), and (http://www.arcticpeoples.org/2007/02/03/canadas-disappearing-caribou/)
• Other herds in Russia are also in decline with the exception of the Chukotka herd, a herd that has increased greatly since declines in the domestic reindeer industry following the collapse of the Soviet Union. There is some speculation that domestic stock may have augmented wild reindeer population in the region.
• A number of herds have been photographed for population estimates in 2007 and 2008 but the final values have not been reported. These include; Beverly, Qamanirjuaq, Central Arctic, Teshekpuk Lake and Lena-Olenyk.

Although many predicted that herds would not continue to expand, the increased threats of climate change, increased industrial expansion in the north and the increased sophistication and mobility of harvesters will require more careful monitoring and analysis of population response. The CARMA Network (http://www.rangifer.net/carma/) was formed in response for a need to cooperate and coordinate monitoring efforts across the north. The Network is taking advantage of the International Polar Year initiative to increase its monitoring and assessment activities over the next 4 years.

Figure R1. Current status of the main migratory herds across the circumpolar north.

Additional Information:

• Ulvevadet, B. and K. Klokov (editors) 2004. Family-based reindeer herding and hunting economies, and the status and management of wild reindeer/caribou populations. Arctic Council Report. Center for Saami Studies, University of Tromso, Norway. 170 pp.
• Russell, D., G. Kofinas, and B. Griffith. 2000. Need and opportunity for a North American caribou knowledge cooperative. Polar Research, 19(1): 117-130.

October 2, 2008

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