Habitat Protection Areas

A Habitat Protection Area is an area identified as requiring special protection under Yukon's Wildlife Act.

It is an area where disturbance to wildlife, or to the plants on which it depends, could lead to the decline of a species or population. It may be an area where a wildlife species is concentrated at certain times of year, a habitat type that is rare in the Yukon or a site that is particularly fragile.

The following are Habitat Protection Areas in the Yukon.

Ddhaw Ghro
Ddhaw Ghro is the Northern Tutchone name for the area formerly known as McArthur Wildlife Sanctuary. The 1,595 square kilometre area is dominated by Grey Hunter Peak. The surrounding hillsides support a population of rare Fannin sheep, a unique colour variation that occurs in the transition zone between stone sheep range and Dall sheep range. Important mineral licks and hotsprings are included in the area. Ddhaw Ghro was identified as a Special Management Area under the Final Agreements of the Nacho Nyak Dun and Selkirk First Nations; and will be designated a Habitat Protection Area.

Horseshoe Slough
Horseshoe Slough is an important waterfowl breeding and staging area in the Traditional Territory of the Nacho Nyak Dun First Nation in the central Yukon. The 79 square kilometre slough is a side channel of the Stewart River at the mouth of No Gold Creek, about 80 km upstream of Mayo. Horseshoe Slough has been designated a Habitat Protection Area under the Yukon Wildlife Act as described in the Nacho Nyak Dun Final Agreement.

Llutsaw Wetland

Llutsaw Wetland
(formerly Von Wilczek Lakes) is an important wetland complex covering 31 square kilometres along the North Klondike Highway south of Pelly Crossing. It was identified as a Special Management Area under the Selkirk First Nation Final Agreement and will be designated a Habitat Protection Area.

Nordenskiold Wetland
The Nordenskiold River valley south of Carmacks is a major wetland complex and an important waterfowl staging area. An area of 76 square kilometres of the complex was identified as a Special Management Area under the Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation Final Agreement, and will be designated a Habitat Protection Area.