The Muskrat, a key species in the Northwest Territories, has been designated as a species of “special concern” for the first time by the Northwest Territories Species at Risk Committee (SARC). The committee expressed concerns over the impact of prolonged drought conditions on the muskrat’s habitats across the territory, attributing the threat to climate change and human interventions like dams and flood control measures.
While muskrats are still widely distributed in the N.W.T., there have been reports of declining population trends, especially in the Mackenzie Delta region. The SARC emphasized the importance of monitoring the muskrat population closely and recommended a sustainable approach to harvesting them.
In a related update, the SARC also highlighted the ongoing status of wood bison in the region, noting that they remain classified as “threatened” a decade after their initial assessment in 2016. With a small herd size of approximately 2,760 bison outside Wood Buffalo National Park, concerns have been raised about declining numbers and disease prevalence, particularly in the South Slave region and northern Alberta.
The committee called for enhanced collaboration and information sharing among relevant authorities to improve wood bison population surveys and outcomes. Additionally, they suggested implementing road safety measures to reduce the risk of collisions with bison.
The N.W.T. SARC regularly evaluates species at risk in the territory and provides recommendations to safeguard their survival. Comprising both Indigenous and non-Indigenous experts and wildlife specialists, the committee plays a crucial role in ensuring the conservation of vulnerable species in the Northwest Territories.