"The caribou (Rangifer tarandus) is widely distributed on arctic tundras, mountains and boreal forests of Eurasia and North America, including the Arctic Archipelago and the north coast of Greenland. Of nine living subspecies of caribou in the world, the barren-ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti) is the only one found in Alaska (Barnfield, 1961).

"There are at present 13 caribou herds in Alaska, including two introduced populations. The total caribou population of Alaska exceeds 600,000. In addition, there are 18 domestic reindeer herds in Western Alaska (Pegau, 1968).

"North of the Yukon River caribou continue to provide a major source of meat for Eskimos, Indians and white settlers. Sport hunters annually harvest more caribou than all other big game species combined.

"As a result of expanding industrial development and settlers of Alaska's arctic and subarctic regions, the future status of important big game species has become a matter of concern. Whether or not caribou populations will continue to occupy their historic ranges in Alaska hinges upon our ability to implement land use plans that protect the integrity of critical caribou habitat.

"This report describes the current distribution and movement patterns of caribou as learned from 22 years of federal aid funded studies in Alaska by state and federal biologists."

Information about the resource can be found at:
ANKN Clearinghouse
P.O.Box 756730
Fairbanks, Alaska 99775-6730

Tel: (907) 474-5897
or email: ANKN Clearinghouse

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