Proposed changes to the NWT List of Species at Risk - Wood Bison and Common Muskrat

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muskratbison_image

The public is invited to comment on the proposal to add common muskrat to the NWT List of Species at Risk and to extend the listing of wood bison.

Comments are due by November 15, 2026.

Photos: Common Muskrat, Liam Cowan / Wood Bison, Pierre-Emmanuel Chaillon

Listing proposals

Common muskrat is under consideration for listing as Special Concern on the NWT List of Species at Risk. It was assessed by the NWT Species at Risk Committee as a species of Special Concern in April 2026. Special Concern means the species is at risk of becoming Threatened or Endangered because of a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats.

Wood bison is being considered for re-listing as Threatened on the NWT List of Species at Risk. This species is currently listed as Threatened and was reassessed in April 2026 with no change in status. Threatened means it could become Endangered if nothing is done to reverse the factors putting it at risk.

Please consider the following questions when providing comments:

Common Muskrat

  • Should common muskrat be added to the NWT List of Species at Risk as a species of Special Concern? Why or why not?
  • Would the adding this species to the NWT List of Species at Risk have positive or negative impacts? What would they be?
  • Is there new or missing information that was not considered in the status report for this species? If so, can you provide it to us or tell us where to find it?

Wood Bison

  • Should wood bison continue to be listed as Threatened on the NWT List of Species at Risk? Why or why not?
  • Wood bison has been listed as a Threatened species in the NWT since 2017. A recovery strategy was completed in 2019 and is being implemented. How has the listing affected you or your community? Would extending the listing for this species for another 10 years have positive or negative impacts? What would they be?
  • Is there new or missing information that was not considered in the status report for this species? If so, can you provide it to us or tell us where to find it?

Have your say!

Comments on the assessments and potential listing of common muskrat and wood bison can be submitted by completing a survey (English and French links below) or by sending your comments to the Species at Risk Secretariat (address below).

Species at Risk Secretariat

PO Box 1320

Yellowknife, NT X1A 2L9

Phone (toll-free): 1-855-783-4301

Fax: 1-867-873-0221

Email: SARA@gov.nt.ca

Next steps

The Conference of Management Authorities will meet in December 2026 and February 2027 to consider all comments received and decide on the listings. A summary of the information used by each Management Authority to make its decision will be found in the consensus agreement on listing for each species.

Listing decisions for common muskrat and wood bison are expected by July 2027.

Links

Common Muskrat

Wood Bison

Category
Engagement Opportunities