Nahanni wildlife
A place of remarkable diversity of life
The diverse physical landscape of the Nahanni provides habitat for a rich variety of vegetation and wildlife -- unusual for an area this far north. Over 700 species of vascular plants, 300 species of mosses and lichens, 48 species of mammals and nearly 200 species of birds inhabit the National Park Reserve. However, the park's current borders have little to do with the animals' natural ranges. Large mammals such as woodland caribou, grizzly bears, mountain goats and Dall's sheep roam far outside the park for parts of each year. For example, while much of the South Nahanni herd of woodland caribou winter within park boundaries, their prime calving and fall rutting grounds are to the northwest, outside the protected lands. Similarly, grizzly bears range far beyond the current park boundaries.To protect these wildlife species, the national park needs to be expanded. Protecting the entire South Nahanni Watershed and Nahanni karstlands would protect wildlife habitat, water quality and globally significant limestone karstlands.
