Kǫ̀k’èetı̀ Ekwǫ̀ (Bathurst caribou) remain in a critical-low state according to the Bathurst Caribou Advisory Committee. WRRB staff attended the January BCAC meeting where the status was decided upon. A draft action management plan is expected to be presented to the Board later this year. Anne Gunn/GNWT-ENR
Kǫ̀k’èetı̀ Ekwǫ̀ (Bathurst caribou) to remain at critical low status
Kǫ̀k’èetı̀ Ekwǫ̀ (Bathurst caribou) was determined to remain at a critical-low level after the second Bathurst Caribou Advisory Committee (BCAC) was held in January.
Laura Meinert, wildlife biologist, reported to the Wek'èezhìı Renewable Resources Board (WRRB) that the committee, which was struck in December 2021, agreed that the status should continue based on herd numbers being well below 30,000 and population trends continuing to look downward. The population is estimated to be 6, 240 - a significant drop from the mid-eighties figure of 470,000.
The committee is made up of 14 organizations, which include Indigenous governments, hunter and trapper associations, and management boards, that operate across the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Saskatchewan. Among participants include the Wek’èezhìı Renewable Resources Board (WRRB), the Tłı̨chǫ Government (TG) and the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT).
All members share and discuss the best available science and Traditional Knowledge over several days once a year in order to come to a decision on ekwǫ̀ status.
A draft action plan for the continued management of Kǫ̀k’èetı̀ ekwǫ̀ will be presented to WRRB for review and approval in the near future.
More information about the work of BCAC can be seen in the Bathurst Caribou Management Plan.