A groundbreaking study from the University of Calgary presents a novel method for identifying wildlife populations at risk—such as caribou and reindeer—based on their individual movement patterns. This approach could revolutionize future conservation strategies.

Published in Biological Conservation, the study utilizes a long-term dataset from GPS-collared caribou across Western Canada. Researchers identified six distinct behavioral groups, each requiring tailored conservation actions.

Spanning vast regions of the Rocky Mountains, particularly in British Columbia, the study area encompasses protected parklands as well as private and multi-use public lands. This diverse landscape, with its rugged topography and climate of long winters and short summers, has been increasingly impacted by habitat fragmentation due to roads, seismic exploration, railways, and logging.

The research analyzed key movement behaviors—such as migration patterns, range sizes, and elevation shifts—to gain deeper insights into caribou ecology. Lead author Margaret Hughes, a PhD candidate in the Department of Biological Sciences, explains that the study revealed subtle but significant differences from current caribou management practices in Western Canada.

“Our approach focuses on behavior to distinguish differences between individuals and groups, clustering them based on movement patterns,” Hughes says. “By understanding where they go and why, we can better inform conservation efforts.”

Behavioural Analysis

This behavioral analysis offers a more comprehensive framework for defining population boundaries, optimizing conservation resource allocation, and improving biodiversity management. While genetic studies have traditionally guided caribou conservation, Hughes emphasizes the added value of integrating movement behavior into conservation planning.

“It helps managers recognize ecologically meaningful variations within species, ultimately leading to more effective conservation strategies,” she explains.

Caribou, an iconic member of the deer family, face mounting threats from habitat loss, industrial development, and climate change. Professor Marco Musiani, a co-author from the University of Bologna and adjunct professor at UCalgary, underscores the species’ significance.

“Caribou are one of the most affected species in Canada due to oil and gas development, forestry, and climate change. Their sensitivity makes them a key indicator of ecosystem health,” Musiani says.

Beyond caribou, the study’s methodology holds promise for broader conservation efforts. Hughes notes that the findings could inform habitat protection, ecological corridor design, and even species translocation strategies—critical areas receiving increasing conservation investment.

By incorporating behavioral science into conservation, this research offers a powerful tool for safeguarding not only caribou populations but also broader biodiversity in a rapidly changing world beset with human activities which have driven species extinction rates to nearly 1,000 times from the natural background rate.

What IUCN says?

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reports that over 42,100 assessed species are at risk, including 25% of mammals, 14% of birds, and 40% of amphibians. However, the true numbers could be far higher, as not all species have been evaluated.

A 2019 UN biodiversity report estimated that up to one million species worldwide could face extinction, highlighting the urgent need for conservation. Yet, limited resources often force conservationists to prioritize species based on economic, ecological, or aesthetic value—leaving many vulnerable species without sufficient protection.

Ecosystems supporting endangered species are also disappearing at an alarming rate despite the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in vogue to protect vulnerable species and habitats across the planet. Beyond government efforts, conservation organizations such as the Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund, and Conservation International are playing a crucial role in safeguarding biodiversity.

As global collaboration model remains essential to preserving the planet’s natural ecosystems for future generations, “This approach can be applied to other at-risk species, helping guide habitat restoration and protection on a much larger scale,” Hughes says.