Media Release – January 8, 2026
Porcupine Caribou Management Board and Parties Reaffirm Precautionary, Collaborative Management Following Release of New Population Estimate
The Porcupine Caribou Management Board (PCMB) and Parties to the Porcupine Caribou Management Agreement have reaffirmed their commitment to precautionary, collaborative stewardship following the release of a new population estimate indicating the herd has declined from its 2017 peak to approximately 143,000 animals. Guided by Indigenous Knowledge and western science, the PCMB continues coordinated monitoring, planning, and communication efforts to support the long-term health of the Porcupine Caribou herd and the well-being of the communities that rely on it:
As a Party to the Agreement, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in plays an active role in Indigenous-led co-management, supporting proactive stewardship through the Harvest Management Plan. Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in leadership emphasized the importance of adapting stewardship approaches as the herd transitions through natural population cycles, while upholding ancestral responsibilities and strengthening the connection between Citizens and the herd. As stated by Hähkè Darren Taylor, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in:
“Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in remains committed to cooperating with the other Parties of the Porcupine Caribou Management Agreement to ensure the ongoing care and stewardship of the herd in Canada… The Harvest Management Plan has been a way for Parties to proactively manage harvest even when the herd’s population changes, supporting our ancestral stewardship obligations, recognizing our rights, titles and interests, and strengthening the deep connections that exist between our Citizens and the herd.”
Through continued collaboration with other Indigenous governments and partners, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in contributes leadership, knowledge, and long-term planning to support the responsible stewardship of this internationally significant herd.