Facts About Peary Caribou

by Jennifer Smith April 10, 2018

Did you know that male and female Peary Caribou grow antlers? Did you also know that they are on the endangered species list in Canada? Although, there is talk to downgrade them to "threatened."

This caribou subspecies (reindeer) live at least 15 years in arctic regions within the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and Nunavut; and there are only 13,200 mature individuals in the group that live in the remote areas.

Smallest in the family, Peary Caribou usually stay close to home, travelling lightly to other islands in search of food. Unlike other members of their family which feed on lichens, caribou would rather feed on grasses, mosses and especially willow.

Because the Peary Caribou only reside in Canada, the country holds a responsibility to prevent them from becoming extinct. There are many factors that lead to their pending extinction including: predatation (wolves), habitat changes; and hunting, as with other types of cervid.

Wildlife Management Boards are looking into deer movement and how to better their habitat. Wildlife management agencies are encouraged to contact DeerbustersCanada to better these wild animals.

#ThankYouWildlife #NationalWildlifeWeek.