Overview:  The woodland caribou is considered to be one the most endangered mammals in the lower 48 states.  Historically, this species once populated most of the northern portion of the U.S., ranging from New England to Washington.   The only surviving populations in the U.S. are found in the Selkirk Mountain ecosystem of Idaho and Washington.  All other populations within the lower 48 states have been extirpated. Today the Selkirk population is estimated to have fewer than 100 individuals.  Surprisingly, this is an increase from 1987 when World Wildlife Fund estimated the population to be around 28 individuals. The woodland caribou's habitat consists of forested mountain regions and prefers dense stands of fir and spruce.  The USFWS (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) is working on a reintroduction program with the Selkirk Mountain herd.  This program was implemented in 1995 and has been educationally successful but the caribou populations continue to struggle to make a substantial comeback.  For more up to date information on this study and other information on woodland caribou check out the USFWS’s page @ http://www.wa.gov/wdfw/wlm/research/caribou/caribou.htm

Distribution: As shown in this sightings map, the woodland caribou populations within Washington are found in the Selkirk Mountain area.  These populations are slowly recovering during the last 20 years as the USFWS's reintroduction program is working towards recreating a healthy population.
 

Currently, we do not have any map data for caribou sightings in Idaho, but the remaining population is found in the northwest portion of the state.
 
 



Last updated October 11, 2001