Two Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) ecotypes occur in Ontario - the forest-dwelling or boreal population, and the forest-tundra or migratory population. In Ontario the “Woodland Caribou, forest-dwelling boreal population, Rangifer tarandus caribou” is currently listed as Threatened. Recent taxonomic work suggests that the Woodland Caribou designation may not be appropriate, and supports recognition of Ontario’s Caribou at the species level. In order to align with COSEWIC deliberations and decisions, it is proposed that the forest-dwelling ecotype in Ontario be identified as part of the Boreal population, consistent with COSEWIC decisions on Caribou designatable units. Recent monitoring work has provided information to better refine the northern boundary of the Caribou Boreal population in Ontario. There is some geographical overlap between the boreal and migratory caribou populations in Ontario, although the ecotype distinctions appear biologically and ecologically valid.
... There are believed to be fewer than 5000 mature individuals in the Boreal population of Caribou in Ontario. Integrated range assessments have revealed that the average annual population trend (λ) was less than 1.0 for all assessed ranges, suggesting that Caribou subpopulations in Ontario are in short-term decline. Range condition in two ranges (15%) is considered insufficient to sustain Caribou, while in nine ranges (69%) it is uncertain if range condition is sufficient to sustain Caribou and range condition in two other ranges (15%) is considered sufficient to sustain Caribou. Population viability analyses suggest that some individual caribou ranges may not be viable in the longterm, although an analysis has not been conducted for the provincial population.
Ontario’s Caribou - Boreal population (Rangifer tarandus) is considered Threatened in Ontario, based upon the small and declining number of mature individuals.