East Coast Caribou
Newfoundland is known for its rugged landscapes and harsh climate. To thrive, let alone survive, in this environment requires grit, resolve, and adaptability. Few animals integrate these characteristics as well as the hardy caribou. On a frigid summer day on the shores of the North Atlantic, a small herd of these creatures allowed for a magical encounter that I'll never forget.
Location: Port au Choix, Newfoundland Species: Rangifer tarandus
Status: Threatened (2024)
Fun fact: Caribou are the only member of the deer family where both males and females grow antlers.
Port au Choix​
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Driving North along the desolate coastline, the car was being battered by howling winds and torrential downpour. A small part of me wondered why I didn't just stay in bed that morning and then remembered that I was adventuring to a small community known for its antlered residents. Port au Choix is known across Newfoundland as an inviting place where humans and caribou share the streets in perfect harmony. Making our way way through town, we chatted with a few charming folks who said they hadn't seen the town's VIPs all day. Unwavering, we parked the car and started walking through the windswept forest, hoping for even just a glimpse. As the day went on, this hope started fleeting until we spotted some antlers moving far in the distance. Reading their behaviour, we coordinated our efforts and briskly walked in a direction that seemed to intersect their movements. Luckily enough, we came around a bend and found the group grazing in the most enchanting little meadow. For nearly an hour, this unit allowed us to respectfully document their late afternoon snacking session.
The caribou found in Newfoundland are part of the Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) subspecies. They primarily inhabit boreal forests, tundra, and mountainous regions, thriving in environments with lichen-rich ground cover, which forms a significant part of their diet. The caribou in Port au Choix are part of the unique ecological and cultural tapestry of this region. Located on the Great Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland, this small town is a site of considerable archaeological significance, with evidence of human habitation dating back over 5,500 years. The caribou have played an integral role in the history and subsistence of the Indigenous peoples and later settlers in the area.
The caribou population in Newfoundland has seen significant fluctuations over the years. The latest estimates see numbers reaching approximately 30,000 individuals. So you can understand my glee when I managed to share space with members of the Port Au Choix herd, which stands proud at only 14 members. Although free to roam the land, this small herd has found itself isolated from the rest of the island's population, finding refuge in a National Historic Site, run by Parks Canada, where the organization's conservation team is hard at work protecting its furry residents.
Parks Canada's role in caribou conservation in this region is multifaceted, encompassing research, habitat management, public education, and collaboration. By protecting critical habitats, engaging communities, and addressing emerging challenges, they hope to ensure the long-term survival of this small, culturally significant herd. Efforts to study and preserve these animals help maintain the ecological balance and honour the legacy of the Indigenous peoples and early settlers who relied on them.
For more information about Parks Canada's efforts, visit the Port au Choix Historic Site
Explore how the Caribou Conservation Alliance is striving to bolster caribou preservation across Canada