The Northwest Territories Species at Risk Committee (SARC) has designated muskrats as a species of concern due to ongoing drought conditions that are impacting their habitats across the region. According to a recent statement from SARC, the population trends of muskrats offer valuable insights into the overall health of freshwater environments, which are increasingly at risk due to climate change and human activities such as dam construction and flood control measures.
While muskrats are still widely distributed throughout the N.W.T., there have been reports of decreasing abundance, particularly in the Mackenzie Delta region. Concerns have been raised by knowledge holders regarding the challenges faced by the species. In response, SARC is recommending sustainable harvesting practices and continuous monitoring to safeguard the remaining muskrat population. The committee also suggests leveraging Indigenous knowledge to raise awareness about the decline in muskrat numbers.
Additionally, the latest update from SARC maintains the “threatened” status of wood bison in the territory, a decade after their initial assessment in 2016. With a small herd of approximately 2,760 bison outside Wood Buffalo National Park, there has been a decline in numbers over the past 15 years. Communities in the South Slave region and northern Alberta have expressed worries about population declines and disease outbreaks among the wood bison.
To address these concerns, SARC recommends enhancing coordination and information sharing on wood bison population surveys and outcomes, as well as implementing new road safety measures to reduce collisions with the animals. The committee regularly evaluates species at risk in the territory and provides guidance on ensuring their survival. Comprising Indigenous and non-Indigenous experts, wildlife specialists, and knowledge keepers, SARC is a collaborative body appointed by federal and territorial governments, along with representatives from the territory’s wildlife co-management boards.