Multiple factors at-play: Thus far in caribou conservation efforts, there has been an emphasis on human-related and natural disturbance, however there are other non-disturbance factors like habitat alteration due to climate change, caribou nutrition conditions, predator/prey relationships, and pathogens and disease influencing caribou populations.

A) Location:Where critical habitat is found. The caribou has a short, stocky body that conserves heat, but its legs are long to help it move through the deep snow.

This recovery strategy is for the Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), Boreal population herein referred to as “boreal caribou”, assessed in May 2002 as threatened by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC).

Caribou became smaller in size and, in some areas, birth rates declined.

Caribou are ungulates, which means they have cloven hooves and chew cud. The caribou's predators and threats to their existence include humans, wolverines, lynx, wolves, bears, and golden eagles. According to the Federal Register notice; predation, forest harvest, human development, recreation and effects due to climate change (increase in wildfire and decrease in alpine habitat) are the main factors credited for the decline in caribou populations. Some years, insect harassment interferes with caribou foraging, which also decreases survival. At about the peak population size of approximately 94,000 caribou, multiple predators were able

The identification of critical habitat for boreal caribou is described by three factors for each local population: i) Location of habitat; ii) Amount of habitat; and iii) Type of habitat.

Caribou movements are probably triggered by changing weather conditions, such as the onset of cold weather or snowstorms. Caribou can consume as much as 12 pounds of food each day. Boreal caribou are the most high-profile example of this, where five years after listing, Environment and Climate Change Canada found in its own progress report that habitat conditions of most of the 51 ranges had deteriorated in spite of identification of critical habitat, which is legally required to be managed to retain caribou. Genetic variation at seven microsatellite DNA loci was quantified in 19 herds of wild caribou and domestic reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) from North America, Scandinavia and Russia. Its winter coat provides insulation from the cold, and its muzzle and tail are short and covered in hair. Usually a combination of factors cause caribou numbers to change. Caribou tend to live in old growth forests, and along rivers, lakes and bogs. If it rains during the winter, ice can prevent caribou from getting their food. Animal Facts: Caribou.

This report describes work undertaken to inform the identification of critical habitat for the Boreal Population of Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in Canada, as part of the requirement for preparation of a National Recovery Strategy for this species under the federal Species at Risk Act. Boreal caribou are the most high-profile example of this, where five years after listing, Environment and Climate Change Canada found in its own progress report that habitat conditions of most of the 51 ranges had deteriorated in spite of identification of critical habitat, which is legally required to be managed to retain caribou.

Caribou apparently have a built in compass, like migratory birds, and can travel through areas that are unfamiliar to them to reach their calving grounds.