N S W E
Wildlife Expeditions

Wildlife of
Yukon

A vast, road-thin wilderness where boreal forest meets alpine tundra-home to epic caribou migrations, big bears, and classic Northland rivers.
89 Species
474,391 km² Land Area
Overview

About Yukon

Yukon's wildlife is shaped by long winters, bright summers, and very large, mostly connected landscapes. Few people and many protected areas help keep healthy populations of caribou, moose, grizzly and black bears, wolves, Dall sheep, and many smaller mammals and hardy birds. The territory feels like a living museum of the North, where tracks, calls, and rivers tell stories across long distances. Main ecosystems are boreal forest and wetlands in the lowlands, alpine and subalpine on the mountains, and tundra on high plateaus. Rivers, led by the Yukon River and its branches, bring life: salmon runs feed bears and eagles; cottonwood river forests shelter songbirds and beaver; oxbows and marshes are key for waterfowl. These connected valleys let animals move far, giving rare chances to see wildlife in wide, quiet places.

Physical Features

Geography

Yukon's wildlife follows a north–south and height gradient: Arctic coastal plain and tundra in the far north shift to boreal forest across the interior, with alpine and glaciated areas in the southwest. Major rivers, especially the Yukon River, focus riparian forests, wetlands, and migration routes. Permafrost and seasonal water keep wetlands that support waterfowl, small mammals, and predators.

474,391 km² Land Area
9th largest province/territory in Canada (by land area) Size Rank
Canada Country
Territory Type
Elevation Range

Sea level (Arctic coast) to 5,959 m (Mount Logan)

Coastline

Short Arctic Ocean coastline on the Beaufort Sea (with coastal tundra and lagoons); numerous large inland lakes (e.g., Kluane Lake, Teslin Lake, Tagish Lake) provide important freshwater shore and wetland habitats.

Key Landscapes

St. Elias Mountains and Kluane icefields/glaciers (major alpine and glaciated habitats) Ogilvie Mountains and Wernecke Mountains (alpine tundra, sheep/goat ranges, headwaters) Mackenzie Mountains (eastern highlands, rugged subalpine habitats) Yukon Plateau/interior uplands (dominant boreal forest matrix) North Slope / Arctic Coastal Plain (tundra, polar desert, coastal wetlands) Yukon River watershed (Yukon River, Porcupine, Peel, Pelly, Stewart, Teslin, White rivers; riparian corridors and wetlands)
State Symbols

Official Wildlife Symbols

bird

Common raven

Designated 1987

wildflower

Fireweed

Designated 1957

Parks & Reserves

Protected Areas

Yukon's protected areas include Parks Canada national parks, Yukon territorial parks, and co‑managed Special Management Areas and wildlife sanctuaries from Yukon First Nations Final Agreements. They protect intact boreal forest–tundra, river corridors, and key Arctic/subarctic habitat, especially the Porcupine Caribou range and Old Crow Flats wetlands. Many areas are remote and roadless, so protection comes from laws and low industry.

Protected Coverage

Approximately 14-16% of Yukon's land area is in formally protected areas (varies by what designations are counted).

National Parks & Preserves

Kluane National Park and Reserve of Canada

≈22,000 km²

One of Canada's flagship mountain ecosystems with vast icefields, alpine tundra, and intact predator-prey dynamics; outstanding for viewing Dall sheep and large carnivores along the Alaska Highway corridor and adjacent backcountry.

Dall sheep grizzly bear moose wolf golden eagle

Ivvavik National Park

≈9,750 km²

Canada's first national park created through an Indigenous land claim (Inuvialuit); protects the northern Yukon's Brooks Range and Arctic coastal plain, a core calving and migration landscape for the Porcupine Caribou Herd and denning habitat for large Arctic predators.

Porcupine caribou grizzly bear muskox polar bear peregrine falcon

Vuntut National Park

≈4,350 km²

Anchored by the Old Crow Flats-one of North America's most important northern wetland complexes-supporting immense seasonal concentrations of breeding and migrating birds as well as boreal and tundra megafauna.

Porcupine caribou moose grizzly bear tundra swan lesser snow goose

State & Provincial Parks

Tombstone Territorial Park

≈2,200 km²

Dramatic Ogilvie Mountains tundra and alpine valleys with excellent roadside-to-backcountry wildlife viewing; important habitat for mountain ungulates and wide-ranging carnivores.

Dall sheep grizzly bear woodland caribou wolf hoary marmot

Herschel Island Territorial Park

≈116 km²

Arctic island/coastal ecosystem in the Beaufort Sea with rich nearshore marine productivity and tundra habitats; notable for polar bear activity, muskox, and huge bird migrations.

polar bear muskox Arctic fox ringed seal black brant

Fishing Branch Territorial Park

≈650 km² (approx.)

A co-managed watershed known for its salmon run and high density of grizzly bears during late summer/fall; a premier area for observing predator-salmon interactions in an intact northern river system.

grizzly bear Chinook salmon moose wolf bald eagle

Coal River Springs Territorial Park

≈390 km² (approx.)

Remote southeast Yukon landscape of karst springs, river corridors, and boreal valleys supporting a full complement of northern mammals and important seasonal habitat for ungulates and predators.

woodland caribou moose grizzly bear wolf wolverine

Wildlife Refuges

Nisutlin River Delta National Wildlife Area

≈55 km² (approx.)

A major wetland complex at the south end of Teslin Lake that supports high densities of nesting and staging waterfowl and shorebirds; one of Yukon's most important bird areas with relatively accessible viewing opportunities.

trumpeter swan tundra swan sandhill crane scaup (greater/lesser) northern pintail

Old Crow Flats Special Management Area (Ramsar wetland complex; co-managed)

Very large wetland complex (on the order of >5,000 km² of wetlands within a broader landscape)

Internationally significant northern wetlands (thousands of shallow lakes and ponds) that drive waterfowl productivity and migration across the Arctic; also supports muskrat-rich ecosystems and large mammals on surrounding uplands.

tundra swan lesser snow goose northern shoveler moose Porcupine caribou

Kluane Wildlife Sanctuary (territorial wildlife sanctuary; co-managed)

Large multi-thousand-km² sanctuary (size varies by management unit; commonly cited as ~6,000 km² scale)

Large protected landscape adjacent to Kluane National Park that helps maintain connectivity for wide-ranging species (especially mountain ungulates and carnivores) across the St. Elias ecosystem.

Dall sheep mountain goat grizzly bear wolf moose

Wilderness Areas

  • Peel Watershed (Wind, Snake, Bonnet Plume, and Hart river basins) - one of Canada's largest intact, largely roadless boreal-mountain landscapes
  • Ogilvie Mountains backcountry beyond the Dempster Highway corridor (expansive alpine tundra and remote river valleys)
  • Yukon North Slope coastal plain outside park boundaries (remote tundra and coastal habitats used by caribou and polar bears)
  • Pelly Mountains and upper Ross River region (boreal headwaters, low road density, high large-mammal connectivity value)
  • Upper Yukon River and tributary wilderness stretches (long, undeveloped river corridors supporting moose, bears, and migratory birds)
  • Remote southeast Yukon ranges and river systems near the Liard/Coal River country (roadless boreal/karst landscapes with intact carnivore guilds)
Animals

Wildlife

Yukon's wildlife is shaped by vast, intact northern landscapes-boreal forest and wetlands in the south and central territory, alpine and icefield country in the St. Elias Mountains, and tundra in the far north. Low human density, large protected areas (notably Kluane), and big river systems (Yukon, Peel, Porcupine) support a classic subarctic fauna: wide-ranging carnivores (grizzly, wolf, wolverine), abundant ungulates (moose, caribou, Dall sheep), spectacular migrations (caribou and waterfowl), and strong ties to salmon-bearing watersheds.

~60-70 species Mammals
~280-320 species (seasonally higher during migration) Birds
1 species Reptiles
~3-4 species Amphibians
~40-55 species (including anadromous salmon) Fish
Examples

Iconic Species

Moose
Moose A signature boreal megaherbivore and one of the most commonly seen large mammals along roads, wetlands, and river corridors-central to Yukon's hunting and viewing culture.
Grizzly Bear
Grizzly Bear Widely distributed from alpine to tundra; Yukon is known for high-quality grizzly habitat and frequent viewing opportunities in wild, open country.
Caribou
Caribou Defines the northern wilderness experience through large seasonal movements; several herds use Yukon landscapes, with some making internationally significant migrations.
Dall's Sheep Iconic white sheep of steep alpine terrain-especially associated with Kluane and other mountain ranges where visitors scan cliffs and ridgelines for rams.
Gray Wolf
Gray Wolf A keystone predator of Yukon's intact food webs; often tracked by sign in winter and occasionally seen along river valleys and open tundra.
Canada Lynx
Canada Lynx A classic boreal carnivore closely tied to snowshoe hare cycles; a hallmark species of Yukon's forested interior.
Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle Common along major rivers and lakes; concentrations occur near salmon runs and open water, making it one of the most visible raptors for travelers.
Trumpeter Swan A flagship wetland bird that breeds in Yukon; seeing family groups on quiet lakes and marshes is a highlight of summer wildlife watching.
Chinook Salmon
Chinook Salmon Anadromous runs in the Yukon River system link ocean to interior; culturally and ecologically important and a focus of conservation attention.
Wolverine
Wolverine A rarely seen but emblematic northern scavenger-predator; Yukon's large roadless areas make it one of the better places in Canada to encounter its sign or tracks.

Endemic & Rare Species

Wood Bison

Bison bison athabascae

Threatened (Canada; reintroduced populations in Yukon)

Not endemic, but regionally significant: Yukon hosts reintroduced herds that represent a major conservation effort for Canada's largest land mammal.

Little Brown Myotis

Myotis lucifugus

Endangered (Canada; vulnerability to white-nose syndrome)

A widespread bat that is becoming increasingly conservation-relevant in Yukon as disease risk spreads westward; monitoring and roost protection are priorities.

Northern Myotis

Myotis septentrionalis

Endangered (Canada; vulnerability to white-nose syndrome)

Occurs at low densities in northern forests; Yukon populations are important as potential refugia if disease impacts remain lower than elsewhere.

Olive-sided Flycatcher

Contopus cooperi

Threatened (Canada)

A long-distance migrant of open boreal forests and post-disturbance habitats; declines make Yukon breeding areas part of national conservation planning.

Rusty Blackbird

Euphagus carolinus

Special Concern (Canada)

Associated with boreal wetlands and muskeg; widespread declines across its range make Yukon wetlands important for sustaining northern populations.

Wolverine

Gulo gulo

Special Concern (Canada)

Naturally low-density and sensitive to human disturbance; Yukon's extensive intact habitat supports comparatively strong, connected populations.

Notable Populations

  • Porcupine Caribou Herd (Rangifer tarandus): one of North America's best-known migratory barren-ground caribou herds, ranging across Yukon-Alaska and central to northern food webs and Indigenous livelihoods.
  • Old Crow Flats: internationally important wetland complex for breeding and staging waterfowl and other migratory birds in the western Arctic.
  • Kluane region Dall's sheep (Ovis dalli) populations: globally notable alpine sheep habitat within a large protected mountain landscape (Kluane and adjacent parks).
  • Yukon River drainage salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.): one of the world's great interior salmon migrations, with fish traveling vast distances to spawn in tributaries connected to Yukon waters.

Recent Changes

  • Wood bison reintroductions (late 20th century) established free-ranging herds in parts of Yukon; management now focuses on herd expansion, health, and reducing conflict along roads and settled areas.
  • Several caribou herds in/near Yukon have experienced long-term declines or increased variability, prompting tighter harvest management, intensified monitoring, and predator-prey research in some regions.
  • Chinook salmon in the Yukon River system have shown prolonged low returns in many years, leading to major fishing restrictions and international (Canada-U.S.) management focus; some other salmon runs are variable year to year.
  • Beaver expansion and increasing dam-building activity have been reported in parts of northern/western Arctic North America, consistent with warming trends; where occurring in Yukon, it can reshape wetlands, stream flow, and fish habitat.
  • Ongoing northward/upslope shifts in some boreal and temperate-associated species (e.g., certain songbirds and ungulates at the southern fringe) are being documented, consistent with a warming climate; changes are most noticeable in southern Yukon valleys.
  • Heightened concern for bats as white-nose syndrome continues spreading in North America; Yukon emphasizes baseline surveys, roost protection, and rapid-response planning to detect/mitigate impacts if the disease arrives.
Visit

Wildlife Viewing

Yukon is one of Canada’s best places to see northern wildlife in big open landscapes: boreal forest, alpine tundra, rivers, and protected areas. Low road traffic and long summer days make it easier to spot moose, caribou, Dall sheep, grizzly and black bears, rare wolves, beavers, and many birds along roads, river valleys, and in Kluane and Tombstone parks.

Best Seasons

Spring (April-May)

Shoulder season with fewer visitors and animals becoming more active as snow recedes. Excellent for bird migration along wetlands and river edges, early bear sightings at lower elevations, and moose frequenting roadside willows. Conditions can be variable (snowmelt, muddy roads), but it's a rewarding time for photographers and birders.

Summer (June-August)

Peak access and the easiest time to cover long distances-many areas have 18-20+ hours of daylight. Strong all-around viewing: Dall sheep on alpine slopes (notably along the Alaska Highway), bears and moose near rivers and berry patches later in summer, and outstanding birding. Expect mosquitoes in wetter areas and plan dawn/dusk drives for the best mammal activity.

Fall (September-October)

Often the best "big mammal" season: crisp temperatures, fewer insects, and dramatic colors. Rut activity increases wildlife movement (moose in particular), bears feed heavily before denning, and caribou are more likely to be seen moving between seasonal ranges. It's also prime northern lights season-combine aurora evenings with morning wildlife drives.

Winter (November-March)

A classic Yukon experience: track wildlife in fresh snow and watch for animals concentrated along plowed roads and valley bottoms. Look for moose, foxes, snowshoe hares, lynx (rare), ptarmigan, and raptors around open water. Add aurora viewing and winter activities (dog sledding, snowshoeing). Dress for extreme cold and plan for limited daylight.

Late winter / Early spring (March-early April)

Longer days return while snow cover remains-excellent for finding tracks, photography, and combining aurora nights with brighter daytime conditions. Some tours and lodges operate specifically for this period, and wildlife sightings can be reliable along river corridors and road-accessible valleys.

Top Wildlife Experiences

  • Drive the Dempster Highway to Tombstone Territorial Park (north of Dawson City) for tundra-and-alpine wildlife: scan slopes and ridgelines for caribou, grizzlies (seasonal), foxes, and raptors; stop at viewpoints and short hikes for wide-angle spotting.
  • In Kluane National Park & Reserve (Haines Junction, Alaska Highway), spot Dall sheep on steep roadside mountains, moose in willow flats, and bears by berry patches later in summer; add an icefield flight for a wild Yukon view.
  • Roadside Dall sheep viewing along the Alaska Highway between Whitehorse and the Kluane/Haines Junction region: pull into safe turnouts and use binoculars for ewes and lambs on cliffs; early morning and evening often produce the best looks.
  • Canoe or raft a quiet stretch of the Yukon River (Whitehorse or multi-day toward Carmacks/Dawson) to see beavers, muskrats, waterfowl, bald eagles, and sometimes moose at dawn or dusk.
  • Birding and wetland wildlife near Whitehorse—Yukon River valley and marsh edges. Look for migrating waterfowl in spring and fall, raptors in summer, and mammals on riverbanks. Good half-day trip from town.
  • Visit the Haines Road (Yukon-Alaska border region) for a scenic wildlife corridor through mountain passes and river valleys: opportunities for bears (seasonal), moose, and birds of prey, with excellent pullouts for glassing.
  • Plan a fall rut drive at sunrise around river valleys and willow flats (e.g., along the Klondike Highway between Whitehorse and Dawson City): moose are more visible and active, and the fall colors make for exceptional photography.

Wildlife Watching Types

Big mammal viewing (moose, caribou, Dall sheep, bears) from highways, pullouts, and short hikes Birding hotspots (wetlands, river corridors, alpine tundra birding) Raptor watching (bald eagles, hawks; best along rivers and open valleys) River-based wildlife watching (canoe/raft trips for beavers, waterfowl, shoreline mammals) Tracking and wildlife sign interpretation (winter snow tracking, scat/track ID walks) Aurora + wildlife combos (winter and fall trips pairing nighttime aurora with daytime wildlife drives) Photography-focused wildlife excursions (golden-hour roadside sessions, tundra landscapes with wildlife scanning)

Guided Options

  • Parks Canada programs and guided hikes/interpretive offerings in Kluane National Park & Reserve (check seasonal schedules and visitor centres in the Haines Junction area)
  • Tombstone Interpretive Centre and Tombstone Territorial Park interpretive programs (seasonal)-great for route planning, wildlife etiquette, and current sighting conditions
  • Local outfitter-guided canoe/raft trips on the Yukon River (half-day to multi-day) focused on wildlife viewing and natural history interpretation
  • Guided glacier/icefield flightseeing around the Kluane region (often combined with natural history interpretation; great for remote landscape-and-wildlife context)
  • Winter wildlife-and-aurora packages based out of Whitehorse that combine daytime excursions (tracking, snowshoeing, river valleys) with nighttime aurora viewing
  • Indigenous-led cultural and nature experiences offered by local First Nations and partners (varies by community/season), often emphasizing respectful wildlife viewing, traditional knowledge, and land-based learning
Habitats

Ecosystems

Yukon has large elevation and latitude changes: mostly boreal forest valleys and plateaus, big alpine areas in mountain ranges, and Arctic tundra on the North Slope. Large cold rivers (Yukon, Porcupine) plus thousands of lakes, ponds and peatlands create freshwater wetlands supporting caribou, moose, grizzly bear, Dall sheep and migratory waterfowl. A small Beaufort Sea coast adds marine habitat.

Biomes

Boreal Forest (Taiga)

Dominant biome across central and southern Yukon: taiga forests of spruce with mixed stands on warmer slopes and extensive post-fire mosaics.

Majority of Yukon; most lowlands/valleys and interior plateaus, especially south and central regions.

Tundra

Low Arctic tundra on the North Slope and near treeline: sedge-moss meadows, dwarf shrub tundra, and wind-exposed barrens with permafrost influence.

Northern Yukon and treeline transition zones; concentrated toward the Beaufort Sea coast and Old Crow region.

Alpine

Above-treeline environments in the St. Elias, Ogilvie, Pelly, Selwyn, and Mackenzie ranges: alpine tundra, talus, snowbeds, and glaciated terrain.

Widespread in mountainous areas throughout the territory; forms a large share of land area where relief is high.

Freshwater

Cold, oligotrophic rivers and lakes, including the Yukon River basin and major tributaries; supports salmon in connected systems and rich riparian corridors.

Statewide along river networks and lake districts; ecologically prominent though not dominant by area.

Wetland

Peatlands, fens, marshes, and thermokarst wetlands (notably in Old Crow Flats) provide key breeding habitat for waterfowl and store large carbon stocks.

Patchy but extensive in northern lowlands and valley bottoms; locally dominant in Old Crow Flats and other peatland complexes.

Marine

Beaufort Sea coastal waters and nearshore ice-influenced ecosystems; supports coastal lagoons, barrier features, and marine food webs linked to sea ice seasonality.

Very limited: a short Arctic coastline and adjacent nearshore waters around the Herschel Island area.

Habitats

Coniferous Forest

White and black spruce stands dominate; lichen-rich understories in drier sites and muskeg-associated spruce in wetter terrain.

Deciduous Forest

Aspen and birch stands are common in warmer/drier interior sites and as early succession following wildfire; extensive riparian balsam poplar.

Woodland

Open, low-density spruce woodlands near treeline and in cold, dry interior zones; often interspersed with shrub and tundra patches.

Shrubland

Willow and dwarf birch shrublands on tundra and along floodplains; important forage and cover for wildlife.

Tundra

Arctic coastal plain and upland tundra with sedges, mosses, lichens, and dwarf shrubs; strong permafrost control on drainage and soils.

Alpine Meadow

Herb-rich alpine and subalpine meadows in sheltered slopes/valleys; summer foraging areas for Dall sheep and other mountain fauna.

Mountain

Large mountain systems (e.g., St. Elias and Ogilvie ranges) with steep elevational zonation from forest to alpine to icefields.

Cliff/Rocky Outcrop

Rock faces and talus slopes provide denning and nesting sites and key terrain for mountain ungulates.

River/Stream

Major rivers (Yukon, Porcupine, Teslin, Pelly, Stewart, Liard headwaters) with braided reaches, floodplains, and riparian forests.

Lake

Numerous cold lakes (e.g., Kluane Lake and many smaller glacial/thermokarst lakes) supporting fish and migratory birds.

Pond

Abundant small ponds, especially in permafrost lowlands; critical breeding habitat for insects and waterfowl.

Wetland

Muskeg, fens, and wet sedge meadows across lowlands and valley bottoms; often associated with permafrost and poor drainage.

Marsh

Shallow, vegetated wetland margins around ponds/lakes and floodplains; high productivity during the short growing season.

Bog

Peat-accumulating bogs and peat plateaus in colder/wetter landscapes; important carbon reservoirs.

Swamp

Shrubby or treed wetlands in warmer valley bottoms and riparian backwaters, typically with willows and occasional spruce.

Coastal

Arctic coastal habitats along the Beaufort Sea, including tundra-backed shorelines and coastal lagoons near Herschel Island.

Beach

Narrow gravel/sand beaches along the Beaufort Sea coast, seasonally affected by sea ice and storm surges.

Rocky Shore

Rocky and gravelly coastal segments and nearshore substrates in the Beaufort Sea zone; ice scour is a major disturbance.

Open Ocean

Adjacent Beaufort Sea waters (seasonally ice-covered) influencing coastal productivity and migratory marine-linked food webs.

Seabed/Benthic

Shallow Arctic continental shelf benthic habitats offshore of Yukon's coastline, shaped by cold waters and ice dynamics.

Urban

Very limited footprint concentrated in Whitehorse and a few smaller communities, with localized habitat fragmentation and riparian impacts.

Agricultural/Farmland

Small, localized agriculture primarily in the southern Yukon (e.g., near Whitehorse/Takhini valleys), constrained by climate and soils.

Ecoregions

Yukon Interior Dry Forests Interior Alaska-Yukon Lowland Taiga Ogilvie-Mackenzie Alpine Tundra Alaska-St. Elias Range Tundra Northern Canadian Low Arctic Tundra (Yukon North Slope) Beringia Lowland Tundra (localized northern influence)
Protection

Conservation

Primary Threats

  • Yukon is warming faster than the global average, driving permafrost thaw (slumps and erosion), altered river hydrology and water temperatures (affecting Yukon River salmon), shrub expansion into tundra, and longer/more severe wildfire seasons that can reduce mature-forest habitat and change forage/lichen availability for some caribou herds.
  • Placer mining in major drainages (e.g., parts of the Klondike and other goldfields) can increase fine sediment and turbidity, alter stream channels, and stress fish and aquatic invertebrates; hard-rock exploration/roads increase habitat fragmentation and long-term reclamation liabilities in sensitive alpine and boreal settings.
  • New/expanded access corridors (all-season roads, winter roads, industrial trails, power lines, and associated camps) can fragment habitat, increase predator and human access to remote areas, and concentrate disturbance near key ranges (notably for some caribou and Dall sheep populations).
  • Off-road vehicle use, backcountry recreation, aircraft overflights, and increasing tourism can displace wildlife from important habitats (calving areas, mineral licks, alpine escape terrain) and contribute to cumulative effects near popular destinations and road-accessible alpine areas.
  • Yukon River salmon (especially Chinook and Chum) face compounded pressures from mixed-stock harvest across the basin and marine survival changes; in the Canadian portion, conservation measures and reduced harvest reflect ongoing low returns and the need to meet escapement goals while supporting food, social, and ceremonial fisheries.
  • Risks include diesel and chemical spills along highways and at remote sites, historic and current mine-related contaminants, and fine-sediment loading from disturbed ground; these can affect drinking-water sources for communities and aquatic habitat quality in salmon-bearing streams.
  • While harvest is tightly managed and often co-managed, sustained low productivity or changing conditions can make some populations (notably certain caribou herds and localized sheep populations) more vulnerable; enforcement challenges in remote areas can also make illegal or unreported harvest difficult to detect.
  • Bear attractants around communities, campgrounds, and seasonal industrial camps elevate conflicts with grizzly and black bears; defense kills and management removals can have localized impacts and reduce tolerance for carnivores in high-use corridors (e.g., near Whitehorse and along major highways).
  • Emerging wildlife diseases are a growing concern: white-nose syndrome (WNS) is advancing in North America and poses a major future risk to Yukon bats; ongoing monitoring is also needed for parasites and pathogens that may expand northward with warming conditions.
  • Invasive plants spread along road networks, gravel pits, and disturbed soils, altering native vegetation and forage; aquatic invasives (including new introductions or range expansions) are a concern for cold-water systems where prevention and early detection are crucial given the difficulty of eradication.
  • Stream diversions, channel reworking (including some mining-related modifications), culverts and crossings that limit fish passage, and altered fire regimes (including suppression near communities) can change habitat structure and connectivity for both aquatic and terrestrial species.
  • Territory-wide habitat remains largely intact, but loss can be significant locally around Whitehorse and other hubs, in river valleys with development pressure, and in mineral-rich areas where cumulative footprints (roads, pits, camps) reduce effective habitat for wide-ranging species.
  • Growth around Whitehorse and a few smaller communities increases road density, pets/attractants, and recreation pressure, which can fragment valley-bottom habitats used by moose and predators and increase wildlife-vehicle collisions.
  • Logging is limited compared with southern Canada but can be locally important in the southern Yukon/near road networks, where it may reduce mature-forest structure, affect riparian function if poorly managed, and increase access for hunters and predators.
  • Declines in some key resources (notably salmon runs in poor years) can cascade through subsistence systems and food webs, affecting predators/scavengers and increasing management trade-offs among conservation, cultural harvest, and commercial/river-wide allocation.
Fun Facts

Did You Know?

Yukon is one of the few places where the ranges of Dall sheep (white) and Stone sheep (darker) meet-so you can encounter "intermediate" color forms (often called Fannin sheep) in the overlap zone in southeastern Yukon.

Beavers are expanding their footprint northward in parts of Yukon, building dams and ponds in areas that were historically too cold or lacked shrubs-an ecosystem shift that can alter stream flow, wetland creation, and even permafrost stability.

Some "ocean fish" feed far inland: salmon runs up the Yukon River support wildlife hundreds to thousands of kilometres from the coast-bears and eagles can be eating marine-derived nutrients deep in the boreal forest.

The famous ~10-year boom-and-bust cycle of snowshoe hares and Canada lynx isn't just a textbook idea-long-running field experiments near Kluane (the Kluane Boreal Forest Ecosystem Project) helped pin down how predators and food limits interact to drive the cycle.

In midwinter, arctic ground squirrels don't just 'sleep'-they repeatedly warm themselves up from subzero body temperatures between torpor bouts, a high-risk strategy that lets them survive one of the harshest hibernation environments in North America.

Yukon River Chinook salmon make one of the longest salmon migrations on Earth-fish entering from the Bering Sea can swim roughly 3,000 km (and more) upriver to reach Canadian spawning tributaries in Yukon.

Arctic ground squirrels studied near Kluane can drop their core body temperature to about −2.9°C during hibernation-among the lowest body temperatures ever recorded for a mammal.

The Porcupine Caribou Herd roams northern Yukon, Alaska, and the Northwest Territories. One of North America's largest migratory caribou herds, it often numbers hundreds of thousands and migrates about 1,500 km each year.

Kluane National Park and Reserve forms part of the Kluane-Wrangell-St. Elias-Glacier Bay-Tatshenshini-Alsek UNESCO complex (~97,000 km²), widely cited as the world's largest internationally protected area-big enough to maintain intact predator-prey systems (wolves-caribou/moose, grizzlies, thinhorn sheep) at landscape scale.

Animals Found in Yukon

89 species documented in our encyclopedia

American Robin Arctic Char Arctic Fox Bald Eagle Belted Kingfisher Black-Capped Chickadee Blackpoll Warbler Bowhead Whale Brown Bear Bull Trout Canada Lynx Canvasback Caribou Cedar Waxwing Chinook Salmon Chipping Sparrow Cinnamon Bear Common Goldeneye Common Loon Common Raven Common Yellowthroat Cougar Coyote Dark-Eyed Junco Deer Mouse Downy Woodpecker Ermine Eskimo Dog Evening Grosbeak Fisher Golden Eagle Golden-Crowned Kinglet Goshawk Great Blue Heron Grizzly Bear Hairy Woodpecker Hammond's flycatcher Hoary Bat Keta Salmon Killdeer King Eider Kokanee Salmon Lake Trout Least Flycatcher Lesser Scaup Little Brown Bat Mackenzie Valley Wolf Mexican Eagle (Northern crested caracara) Mink Mountain Bluebird Mountain Lion Muskox Muskrat North American Black Bear Northern Flicker Northern Harrier Northern Pintail Orange Spider Orange-Crowned Warbler Panthera atrox (American Lion) Pine Beetle Pine Siskin Pink Salmon Polar Bear Puma Red-winged blackbird Reindeer River Otter Rough-Legged Hawk Sandhill Crane Sharp-Shinned Hawk Short-Faced Bear Snowshoe Hare Snowy Owl Sockeye Salmon Stoat Tree swallow Tundra Swan Western Tanager Whimbrel White-Crowned Sparrow Willow Flycatcher Wolf Wolverine Wood Bison Wood Frog Woolly Mammoth Xeme (Sabine's Gull) Yellowish Cuckoo Bumblebee (formerly Fernald's Cuckoo Bumblebee)

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