The Conference of Management Authorities, established under the Species at Risk (NWT) Act to manage and recover species at risk in the Northwest Territories (NWT), has decided not to add American white pelican to the NWT List of Species at Risk.
In 2023, the Species at Risk Committee assessed American white pelican as a species of Special Concern in the NWT. This means the species may become Threatened or Endangered because of a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats. Although white pelican populations are increasing in the NWT and across Canada, the Committee found the species to be at risk in the NWT due to its very small area of occupancy (currently only one known nesting location) and vulnerability to disease and parasite outbreaks.
The Conference of Management Authorities (CMA) recognizes that American white pelican is a valued species for many NWT residents and an important part of the NWT’s biodiversity. The CMA supports local efforts to monitor and conserve pelicans.
However, the CMA found there is insufficient information to conclude that diseases are a priority driver of vulnerability for American white pelicans in the NWT. Additionally, given that the Slave River colony nests outside of the NWT in Alberta, listing the species under the Species at Risk (NWT) Act would not enable conservation measures or management planning for the population’s nesting area.
The Conference of Management Authorities encourages partners in the NWT and Alberta to continue their important and collaborative work to conserve and raise awareness of the American white pelican and reduce the threats of human disturbance.
Photo: John David Mackinnon
Quick facts
- American white pelicans occur largely in the southern NWT near Fort Smith. They are part of the Slave River colony, which nests in northern Alberta at the very northern edge of the species’ global range.
- The Conference of Management Authorities (CMA) is the group of wildlife co-management boards and governments that share management responsibility for the conservation and recovery of species at risk in the NWT. All CMA decisions are made by consensus of the Management Authorities.
- The management authority for American white pelican in the NWT is the Government of the Northwest Territories.