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Barren-ground caribou, little brown myotis, and northern myotis added to NWT List of Species at Risk

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The NWT Conference of Management Authorities (CMA), established under the Species at Risk (NWT) Act to manage and recover species at risk in the NWT, has reached consensus to add barren-ground caribou (Threatened), little brown myotis (Special Concern), and northern myotis (Special Concern) to the NWT List of Species at Risk.

The signed consensus agreements articulating these decisions were provided to the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) on April 11, 2018. In accordance with these consensus agreements, the Minister legally listed barren-ground caribou, little brown myotis (a bat), and northern myotis (a bat) on July 11, 2018.

The term of listing is 10 years. Adding a species to the NWT List of Species at Risk does not result in any automatic prohibitions or protections for the species or their habitat.

The listing of barren-ground caribou as Threatened means a recovery strategy must be developed within two years of listing. There is already management planning underway that could be adopted as part of a package to fulfill this requirement. 'Barren-ground caribou', under the Species at Risk (NWT) Act, includes the Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula, Cape Bathurst, Bluenose-West, Bluenose-East, Bathurst, Beverly, Ahiak, and Qamanirjuaq herds. The Porcupine caribou herd is considered geographically distinct and is not included in this listing decision.

The listing of little brown myotis and northern myotis as species of Special Concern means that management plans must be developed within two years of listing. The CMA will be pursuing the development of a multi-species management plan for all bat species in the NWT to fulfill this requirement.

The CMA has also reached consensus not to add grizzly bears to the NWT List of Species at Risk. The CMA determined that there is not sufficient evidence at this time to support the listing. No further action will be taken for grizzly bears under the Species at Risk (NWT) Act unless new information in the future suggests that re-assessment is necessary.

Additional species information and supporting documentation, including the status reports, assessments, and consensus agreements, are available at www.nwtspeciesatrisk.ca.

Quick facts:

  • Wildlife management authority in the NWT is shared between the Government of the Northwest Territories (through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources), wildlife co-management boards established under settled land claim agreements, and the Tlicho Government.
  • The CMA brings together all these organizations (called Management Authorities) to make decisions on listing, conserving, managing, and recovering species that may be at risk of disappearing from the NWT.
  • All CMA decisions are made by consensus of the Management Authorities.