Monitoring - Wildlife

Banks Island Peary Caribou Monitoring

Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development

Rationale

Peary caribou on Banks Island.

Peary caribou on Banks Island are classified as endangered by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). The highest population estimate for the herd was 12,098 caribou in 1972. By 1998 there were 436 non-calf caribou and in 2001 the population had increased to 1196. Possible factors for the population decline include harvest, competition with other wildlife and inter-island movements. Information about the caribou population, seasonal habitat use, range conditions and predation is required to monitor the number of Peary caribou on Banks Island and to understand why the population decline has taken place. This project is led by the Government of the Northwest Territories, Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development and is carried out under the direction of the draft Co-management Plan for Caribou, Muskox, Arctic Wolves, Snow Geese, and Small Herbivores on Banks Island, 1998/99 to 2002/03. Parks Canada is a partner in this project, contributing funds and other resources.

Objectives

• To estimate the number of Banks Island Peary caribou.
• To determine caribou productivity and recruitment of calves.
• To determine caribou body condition.
• To assess late winter snow conditions in wintering range.
• To determine seasonal ranges, migration routes and habitat types used by caribou.
• To determine the movement of caribou between Banks and Victoria islands.
• To determine the presence and abundance of parasites and diseases in caribou.

Methods and Information Collected

• Banks Island, including Aulavik National Park, is surveyed.
• Caribou are counted from a fixed-wing aircraft.
• The number of calf to non-calf caribou are estimated.
• Incidental observations of wolves are recorded.
• Classification surveys are conducted by positioning surveyors near groups of caribou with a helicopter. Caribou are observed with spotting scopes or binoculars and classified by age and sex.
• Productivity is estimated by counting the number of calves present per 100 two-year-old or older females.
• Recruitment of calves is determined by counting the number of yearlings per 100 two-year-old or older females.
• Urine and fecal samples from caribou are collected and analysed to determine animal body condition.
• Satellite collars were placed on 10 adult female caribou in 1999.
• Fecal and fourth stomach samples are analysed to assess parasite infection.

Years of Data

• The first caribou population survey was conducted on Banks Island in 1972. Additional surveys have been carried out every 3-4 years since 1982.
• Classification surveys have been conducted since 1994.
• Winter range conditions have been monitored since 1993.
• Caribou late winter body condition has been assessed since 1993.
• Parasite levels have been assessed since 2000.
• Information on caribou ranges during late June and early July has been collected during whole island population surveys and also from satellite tracking radio collared animals since 1982.

Partners

• Government of the Northwest Territories, Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (DRWED) (project lead)

Results

• The next population survey is scheduled to be conducted in 2004 or 2005.
• A classification survey was not conducted in 2002. The next classification survey will be conducted in 2003.
• Fecal samples were collected during winter 2002 to determine infection levels of gastro-intestinal parasites.
• Samples of the fourth stomach were collected from harvested animals during fall 2002 to determine the number and species of parasites present.
• Urine samples were collected in April 2002 to assess body condition.

Banks Island Peary Caribou Population Estimates, 1972-2001

Contacts

John Nagy
Supervisor of Wildlife Management Department of Resources,
Wildlife and Economic Development
Inuvik Region
Inuvik, NT X0E 0T0
Phone: (867) 777-7305
Fax. (867) 777-7321
John.Nagy@gov.nt.ca

Ian McDonald
Conservation Biologist
Parks Canada
P.O. Box 1840
Inuvik, NT X0E 0T0
Phone: (867) 777-8807
Fax: (867) 777-8820
Ian.McDonald@pc.gc.ca