The Woodland Caribou Program incorporates partnered research to help determine the status of woodland caribou populations, habitat use and gather data to inform range planning, monitoring and evaluation. Saskatchewan uses a variety of methods to better understand woodland caribou populations.
Genetic Analyses
Since 2005, Saskatchewan has been conducting non-invasive caribou population monitoring through fecal pellet collections across SK2 and SK1. In winter, surveyors fly over areas of interest in a plane to look for signs of caribou, and when they are found, followed up with a crew in a helicopter to land nearby and collect samples. DNA is extracted from cells on the outside of the pellets and different types of analyses allow us to identify individual animals to define population structure and estimate population size and trend. Some health assessments are also possible.
SK2 Central (2017 to 2019)
Results demonstrate the population is declining.
SK2 West (2020 to 2022)
Results are anticipated soon.
SK2 East (2020 to 2022)
Results are anticipated soon.
SK1 (2019 and 2023)
Results are anticipated soon.
Telemetry-based Study
The most recent assessment of caribou status in SK1 is based on a 2014-18 study led by the University of Saskatchewan, in collaboration with the Government of Saskatchewan and industry partners. Telemetry-based studies involve the use of collars to transmit location data using a Very High Frequency (VHF) radio transmitter and/or a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit. This study fitted collars on approximately 90 female caribou and the resulting data was used to monitor habitat use, animal survival and recruitment of calves. Results indicated that caribou populations were stable over the study period and estimated approximately 4,000 animals occurred across SK1.
Incidental Observations
Observations of woodland caribou are submitted by survey permit holders to the Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre (SKCDC) or by the public using the Report a Woodland Caribou form. These data points are tracked and used to verify caribou occupancy on the landscape during range planning and implementation efforts.
Data from each of the categories described above are used to derive a publicly available geospatial dataset. A generalized set of hexagons is created where each hexagon indicates that one or more observations have been recorded within that area. Portions of the range where hexagons are not present should not be considered an indication of the absence of caribou, rather an area where we lack observation data. These data are available for download on the Saskatchewan GeoHub.
SK2 Central Population Monitoring Infographic
SK2 Central Population Assessment and Trend Summary
