The Northwest Territories Species at Risk Committee (SARC) has designated muskrats as a species of “special concern” for the first time due to ongoing drought conditions that are impacting the animals’ habitats across the region. In a recent statement, SARC highlighted that muskrat population trends serve as indicators of the overall health of freshwater environments, which are increasingly threatened by climate change-induced warming and human activities such as dam construction and flood control measures.
While muskrats are still widespread in the N.W.T., there have been observed declines in their numbers, particularly in the Mackenzie Delta, prompting concerns about the species and the challenges it is encountering. To safeguard the remaining population, the committee is advocating for a respectful and sustainable harvest approach along with continuous monitoring. Additionally, they are recommending the integration of Indigenous knowledge to enhance awareness regarding the decline in muskrat populations.
In a related update, wood bison in the territory continue to be classified as “threatened” a decade after their initial assessment in 2016. The current wood bison herd stands at approximately 2,760 animals outside Wood Buffalo National Park, with a decline in numbers over the past 15 years. Concerns raised by communities in the South Slave region and northern Alberta include population decreases and disease outbreaks among the bison.
To address these issues, the committee is urging authorities to enhance coordination and data sharing on wood bison population surveys and outcomes, as well as implement new road safety measures to reduce collisions with the animals. The N.W.T. SARC regularly evaluates species at risk of disappearing from the region and provides recommendations to ensure their survival. The committee comprises both Indigenous and non-Indigenous experts, wildlife specialists, and knowledge holders appointed by the federal and territorial governments, along with representatives from the territory’s wildlife co-management boards.