Eastern Migratory
- Ontario status: Special Concern Ontario Endangered Species Act (2018)
- Canadian status: Endangered Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) (2017)
The 2017 report of the Committee on the Status of Wildlife in Canada estimated the total population of eastern migratory caribou 170,636 mature animals (not the total population) and says there has been an 80% overall decline in number over three generations (18-21 years). Most of the remaining Eastern Migratory caribou are in the Leaf River herd.
Eastern migratory caribou range from around Hudson bay, across the Ungava peninsula in Nunavik (northern Quebec) and into Nunatsiavut (northern Labrador). They move from wintering grounds in the spring to calve, generally closer to the coast, then move back again in the fall. Although they migrate, they are not barren-ground caribou, but woodland caribou.
The eastern migratory caribou designation covers four subpopulations (or herds).
- The Cape Churchill herd occupies part of the Manitoba coastline on Hudson Bay.
- The Southern Hudson Bay herd overlaps slightly with the Cape Churchill herd, but is mostly found further south along the coastal Manitoba - Ontario border.
- The Leaf River herd is on the Ungava Peninsula of northern Quebec, and sometimes overlaps with the range of the George River herd that occupies parts of Quebec and Labrador.
- The George River herd occupies parts of Quebec and Labrador.
Related news
See the Giant Arctic Mosquitoes That Are Thriving in a Changing Climate
A study found that warming in the Arctic is lenghtening the mosquito season. The study authors say the longer season gives the mosquitoes more time to harass caribou. Caribou seek higher, cooler places to avoid the insects, but those places may have less food for the caribou. This in turn can lead to poorer body condition and increased chances of death for the caribou.
28 April 2026 | ABC News
Caribou decline forces difficult cultural choices
A 2'11" news story about the discussion of a hunting moratorium for the Leaf River herd in northern Quebec. The herd crosses Cree, Naskapi and Inuit traditional territory. It has declined by 75% in the past 25 years.
10 April 2026 | cbc
Leaf River caribou decline sparks urgent talks among Indigenous leaders, Quebec officials
A story about the call for a moratorium on hunting the declining Leaf River caribou herd in Quebec. Cree leaders in Eyou istchee in Northern Quebec have already asked their own people to voluntarily stop hunting the herd. A spokersperson for Inuit in northern Quebec is quoted saying he wants to mantain some level of harvest for food security. The Quebec Ministry of Environment which would be responsible for declaring and enforcing a hunting moratorium has received the call for a moratoriium from the Cree but has not yet decided if it will take action.
1 April 2026 | cbc news
Canada's migratory caribou are under threat. Will we act before it's too late?
A story cataloguing the decline of migratory caribou herds, and the threats thought to be driving that decline. The story anticipates the coming 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) on the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals. It notes that Canada has not ratified this convention, but hopes "it sets global norms and shines an international spotlight on a crisis unfolding in Canada's North."
25 March 2026 | phys.org
Inuit grapple with loss of caribou 13 years into ‘Labrador’ hunting ban: ‘I feel like a big part of me is gone’
A feature-length story on the repercussions of a ban on hunting caribou from the George River herd in Nunatsiavut (Labrador). Hunting the herd has been banned since 2013, when the population declined to to just over 27,000, down from a recorded high of 800,000. The population is now estimated at 8,600.
17 March 2026 | Indiginews
Female caribou grow antlers as a built-in postbirthing snack
An article based on a study that found that female caribou are gnawing on the antlers that they shed in birthing grounds. The study authors suggest that the caribou are doing this to provide a supplement of protein, calcium and phosphorus, nutrients that they need after giving birth.
25 February 2026 | Scientific American
APTN show places spotlight on Tłı̨chǫ caribou research
An article noting that Tłı̨chǫ researchers and Innu youth will feature in a new documentary series on the Abortiginal peoples Television Network (APTN) in an episode devoted to caribou. the episode is to air on Feb 5th, 2026.
5 February 2026 | Cabin Radio
Cree leadership urges halt to caribou hunting as numbers fall
Following confirmation of a further decline of the Leaf River caribou herd (136,000 in 2025, down from 175,000 in 2024) the Cree Nation Government in northern Quebec is calling for a halt in hunting the herd. The Cree in the region are the primary hunters of Leaf River caribou. The story cites evidence that female caribou in the herd are underweight, a warning sign for successful reproduction. The neighboring George River herd almost completely collapsed in the past few years.
17 January 2026 | cbc news
Innu Nation forum slams Quebec government for inaction to protect caribou
The story discusses the frustration of the Innu with the government of Quebec over inaction on caribou protection. Both woodland and eastern migratory caribou (George River and Leaf River herds) are mentioned. The news follows a special two-day meeting on caribou convened by the Innu Nation. A spokesperson for the Innu says that the reaction of the province to caribou declines has been discussion and study but "nothing happens". The story notes that the Innu plan to hold another meeting in January to try to decide what action to take.
12 December 2025 | APTN
Caribou hunting charges against 7 Innu men stayed in Happy Valley-Goose Bay court
The story is about charges against Innu hunters being stayed, after they were accused of illegally hunting caribou from the George River herd. Hunting of that herd was banned by the government of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2013, due to the herd's drastic decline in numbers. The staying of charges leaves unresolved the issue of Innu rights to hunt the herd. Innu leaders say the ban on hunting is unconstitutional as it clashes with Indigenous rights.
7 February 2025 | cbc
Ottawa slow to protect migratory caribou
A story (original in French) that focuses on the George River and Leaf River eastern migratory caribou herds. the two herds have suffered major declines in recent years. In April 2017, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) recommended to the federal government that the herds should both be classified as 'endgangered' which would trigger a recovery plan under the Species at Risk Act. The designation of the caribou herds is still waiting for federal government action, and there is no timeline for the decision.
28 October 2024 | Le Devoir
Nearly $4.8 million to track migratory caribou in the context of climate change
A news release announcing multi-million dollar funding that will sponsor a project to research migratory caribou on the Ungava peninsula in Nunavik (Quebec). The "Caribou Ungava" project has been active since 2009; the new funding will take it to 2029. The project is to focus on five main areas of research:
1) the dynamics and connectivity of migratory caribou populations with forest and mountain caribou populations;
2) mitigation of the impacts of territorial development;
3) determinants of habitat use and change;
4) health indicators of caribou and their boreal and northern competitors;
5) the ecology of black bear and musk ox interacting with migratory and expanding caribou on the Ungava Peninsula.
10 May 2024 | laval university
The Double-Edged Sword of Genetic Diversity in Caribou
A study of caribou genetics finds that "caribou maintain a high level of genetic diversity". This could be both a good thing and a bad thing. Genetic diversity can help species adapt. But when population numbers are low, genes that might harm a herd's ability to survive can become more common in a population.
29 February 2024 | trent university
Quebec Cree and Innu leaders agree to reduce caribou harvest after summer wildfires
Cree and Innu leaders are reducing the number of caribou that Innu hunters can harvest from the Leaf River herd on Cree lands to 50, from a previously agreed figure of 300. The reduction is due to concerns about the impacts of recent forest fires in the herd's range. "...we must offer the caribou the opportunity to recover and adapt, especially amid growing climate challenges." said Chief Daisy House, of the Cree community of Chisasibi.The Leaf River herd numbers about 190,000 animals, down from imore than 600,000 in 2000.
26 January 2024 | cbc north
Elder passing on traditional caribou hide scraping with grandmother's tool
Web story and also 10:39 audio piece about an Innu woman who is passing on the skills of prepring a caribou hide to students at a school in Sheshatshiu in Labrador. in the audio you hear the voices of the instructor and students. People in the community traditionally hunted the George River herd, but that herd has declined by 98% since 2001, and now sits at about 7,200 according to the latest count. The caribou skin used by the class came from Quebec.
24 April 2023 | CBC
The (re)naming of caribou
This magazine article (based on a paper by the same author) suggests that dividing caribou into more subspecies would help to recognize and conserve their biodiversity.
19 December 2022 | Canadian Geographic
Valérie Courtois on what she hopes will come out of COP15: “to save the world”
A feature article on Valérie Courtois, Director of the Indigenous Leadership Initiative. The article talks about the "COP 15" meeting of the United Nations Convention on Bioversity, but also focuses on the decline of the George River caribou herd, noting that climate change and industrial development on the herds range may affect its ability to recover.
12 December 2022 | Canadian Geographic
The George River caribou herd is still vulnerable — but the newest census has cause for optimism
A news story based on a release from the government of Newfoundland nad Labrador showing that the George River herd has declined again after a slight rise in numbers two years ago. The story notes that despite the decline in numbers, more adult caribou were present in the last count, and that is some cause for optimism about the herd's future.
28 November 2022 | cbc
Genetic legacy of last glaciation influences reindeer's seasonal migrations
This news release is about a new study that cross referenced GPS tracked movements and genetics of caribou, and found genes thought to be associated with migratory behaviour. The genetic differences are thought to spring from a genetic division during the last ice age, when populations were physically separated by ice sheets. The study authors say this has implications for possible loss of migratory behaviours if genes are lost through shrinking populations.
11 February 2022 | Science Daily
Cree and Innu sign agreement over caribou harvest in Cree territory
A news story about the agreement between Cree and Innu First Nations allowing Innu communities to hunt caribou on Cree territory. The Innu communities can take 2300 caribou this year under the terms of the agreement. the caribou come from the Leaf River herd. The George River herd on which the Innu communities had previously relied is at only one percent of it's peak recoreded population in 1990, and hunting the herd is banned. "For us, this community hunt will not only meet a need for our Elders' food security, but also perpetuate a sharing relationship that dates back to time immemorial," said Chief Mike McKenzie, Chief of the Innu community of Uashat Mak Mani-utenam and spokesperson for the nine Innu communities.
31 January 2022 | CBC North
Caribou are vanishing at an alarming rate. Is it too late to save them?
A magazine-length article giving an overview of some of the challenges facing caribou in Canada, and the impacts of caribou decline. It includes both barren-ground and woodland caribou.
7 September 2021 | Canadian Geographic
Nunavik pushes for its right to manage and harvest region’s caribou
The organization that represents Inuit in Nunavik (Northern Quebec) is working on an Inuit-led management plan for caribou in the region. They are concerned that the province does not recognize the priority of Inuit in hunting the caribou, and that federal government conservation planning does not distingush between the three herds in Nunavik. The herds in question (George River, Leaf River and Torngat Mountain) are all classified as Eastern Migratory Caribou.
21 July 2020 | Nunatsiaq News
An Oral History of Whale Cove
Six Inuit tell the story of their families' forced relocations to an unfamiliar land—and how they came to call the place home
10 October 2019 | The Walrus
Related resources
Caribou conservation Wapusk National Park
A Park Canada web page on caribou conservation issues in Wapusk National Park, near Churchill Manitoba. The page provides an overview of conservation challenges including climate change and human disturbance causing habitat loss or avoidance, and also talks about research and management measures. Two herds occur in the park, the Cape Churchill herd, and the Qamanirjuaq herd.
(2026)
Usage: Non-commercial with attribution Format: web
Beverly and QaminirjuaqEastern MigratoryBarren-groundCape ChurchillManaging huntingRange managementClimate changeHuman disturbanceNatural factorsHuntingvisual report - North American Caribou Workshop 2026
This is a graphic recording © Alison McCreesh, 2026 of the North American Caribou Workshop held in Yellowknife NWT from June 15-19,2026. Topics covered include the place of Caribou in Indigenous cultures, the compilation of different knowledge systems to inform caribou management, and infrastructure development threats to caribou.
graphic recording © Alison McCreesh, 2026 (2026)
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Eastern MigratoryBathurstBluenose WestBluenose EastManaging predatorsRange managementPeopleClimate changeHuman disturbanceTemperature drives summer group size dynamics of Eastern Migratory caribou in the Hudson Bay lowlands of Manitoba
An academic paper (not open access) tracks the gatherings of caribou in summer, and shows a relationship between higher temperatures and more caribou gathering. The research was done on the Cape Churchill herd using trail cameras to record the caribou gatherings. The paper suggests the urge to gather together in higher temperatures may be linked to attempts to avoid biting flies.
(2025)
The Naskapi Nation is committed to strengthening collaboration with our neighboring Nations and adopting a community hunting law
A news release from the Naskapi Nation (a First Nation located in northern Quebec) admitting that some community members killed endangered woodland caribou while believing that they were targeting the Leaf River caribou herd. The release says that First Nation will be "...promptly adopting a comprehensive Naskapi law to be developed in consultation with our members, which will include existing and new enforceable procedures and protocols applicable to any future community hunt." The Naskapi traditionally hunted the George River herd, but have voluntarily stopped doing so after the herd's steep decline in numbers.
(2025)
Usage: Non-commercial with attribution Format: web
Eastern MigratoryGeorge RiverLeaf RiverManaging huntingHuntingCARIBOU UPDATE: PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE LEAF RIVER HERD
This update on the Leaf River Caribou herd is contained in Eeyou Eenou, a newsletter produced by Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) / Cree Nation Government. It includes new estimates of the herd size (down to 155,00). It says flooding from hydro developments, widlfires, and industrial impacts have degraded the food available in the herd's range, and have resulted in shifting migration patterns. It notes voluntary reduction in harvest by Cree and Innu communities, and calls for reliable harvest monitoring.
(2025)
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Eastern MigratoryLeaf RiverManaging huntingRange managementHuman disturbanceNatural factorsHuntingThe biogeochemical boomerang: Site fidelity creates nutritional hotspots that may promote recurrent calving site reuse
This academic paper (not open access) suggests that one reason for caribou to return to calving sites is that nutrients from birth fluids and dead calves improve the nutrient quality of plants eaten by caribou, helping them through a period of heightened energy demands. The authors tested the hypothesis by adding a solution simulating caribou birth fluid. The nitrogen-rich fluids resulted in more nitrogen-rich plant growth, providing more nutritious plants that caribou could eat while suckling calves.
ecology letters (2024)
Usage: Non-commercial with attribution Format: web
Eastern MigratoryBarren-groundPearyNatural factorsMorphological Traits Are Not Consistently Related to Population Size in Four Migratory Caribou Populations Across North America
Can physical appearances of caribou be used to infer population health? That was a question asked by authors of this academic paper who looked at body mass, body fat, and hind foot length in four caribou herds (Porcupine, Beverly, Leaf River and George River) and tried to see if there was a connection between those indicators and herd size or trend. The paper found that those physical indicators were not sufficient to accurately assess herd numbers or trends.
(2024)
Usage: Non-commercial with attribution Format: web
PorcupineBeverly and QaminirjuaqEastern MigratoryBarren-groundGeorge RiverLeaf RiverRange managementAboutHIGH SCHOOL STUDENT-LED MONITORING OF SUMMER RANGE USE BY THE EASTERN MIGRATORY CAPE CHURCHILL CARIBOU POPULATION USING MINIMALLY INVASIVE TRAIL CAMERAS AND STANDARDIZED CRITERIA
This is a conference poster that describes the four-year project to document the Cape Churchill caribou herd. The project uses trail cameras to monitor the herd, and high school students are involved in the analysis.The project also includes fieldwork that measure such things as permafrost depth and vegetation cover in the herd's range.
(2023)
Usage: Non-commercial with attribution Format: pdf
Eastern MigratoryCape ChurchillRange managementClimate changeMapping and Modelling Summer and Winter Range use of the Eastern Migratory Cape Churchill Caribou: Bridging Trail Cameras and Community-Based Approaches
a confer4nce poster describing a collaborative project (University of Saskatchewan, Manitoba Métis Federation, Wapusk National Park) to define the summering and wintering areas of the Cape Churchill caribou herd. The co-developed project methodology uses trail cameras to establish presence of the herd at different places over different seasons.
(2023)
Inuit Co-management Led Research
A web page (with further links) documenting variousinitiatives undertaken by the Torngat Wildlife and Plants Co-management Board that focus on caribou. The three herds covered are the George River herd, The Mealy Mountain herd, and the Torngat Mountain herd, all of which occur in Nunatsiavut territory (Labrador, Canada). The page provides a useful overview of the relationship of local Inuit with caribou, and provides insight into "co-management led research".
(2023)
Usage: Non-commercial with attribution Format: web
Eastern MigratoryGeorge RiverRange managementPeopleCollaborative Research and Monitoring of Migratory Eastern Cape Churchill Caribou: Linking Wapusk National Park and an Indigenous Conservation Protected Area
A recorded presentation by several people (41:40 to end of presentation, 57:43 to end of questions) about the Cape Churchill herd and plans for its further conservation. The presentation description says, "The summer range of the Cape Churchill herd is almost completely protected by Wapusk National Park, however the winter range is largely unprotected, existing outside of the park boundaries. The development of a proposed Indigenous Protected Conservation Area (IPCA), led by the Manitoba Métis Federation is a priority goal of our group, with caribou being its focal species." The part of the presentation focused on caribou conservation starts at about 07:00.
(2022)
Public Advisory: George River Caribou Population Remains at a Vulnerable Low
A brief news release from the government of Newfoundland and Labrador on the results of a count of the George River caribou herd. The count, conducted jointly with the Government of Quebec and the Nunatsiavut Government, found that the herd had declined again after a slight rise in numbers two years ago. It now stands at an estimated 7,200, a 98% drop from its numbers on 2001.
(2022)
Caribou (Eastern Migratory population)
A brief Ontario government web page on eastern migratory caribou. The range of one of the herds (the Southern Hudson Bay subpopulation) extends into Ontario.
Government of Ontario (2018)
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Eastern MigratoryNorth America's Largest Herd of Caribou on the Move (360 Video)
A short 360 degree video showing migratory caribou in Nunavik moving toward calving grounds. It has commentary by David Suzuki giving some facts about the caribou.
CBC (2017)
Format: video
Eastern MigratoryMushuau Innu learn to hunt caribou in Labrador
A 26 minute video produced by CBC program "Land and Sea" about Mushuau Innu living in Labrador, with a focus on their relationship with caribou. The video is entirely narrated, and dated in style and terminology, but shows some traditional hunting practices.
CBC (1979)