A population decline is continuing in one of North America’s biggest caribou herds, threatening hunting opportunities for rural residents who depend on the animals for food.

The Western Arctic Caribou Herd, which ranges in Northwest Alaska, is down to 121,000 animals, according to the most recent census by state biologists and their partners.

It is the lowest population since the 1970s, continuing a slide since 2003, when the herd peaked at 490,000 animals. In 2023, the last time a population survey was completed, the herd was down to 152,000 animals.

Alex Hansen, a Kotzebue-based wildlife biologist for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, presented the population numbers on Tuesday to the Western Arctic Caribou Herd Working Group.

“So, no end in sight at this point. Certainly, some

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