Banks Island Muskoxen Monitoring
Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development
Rationale
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| Muskox. |
The number of muskoxen on Banks Island has changed dramatically from 1950s to the present. The population grew from hundreds of muskoxen in the 1950s to 3,800 in 1972 and then to 64,608 in 1994. The most recent population estimate, conducted in 2001, put the population at 68,788 muskoxen. Information about the population size and characteristics, habitat use, movements and health is important for managing muskoxen on Banks Island and understanding the Banks Island ecosystem. The information is also important to ensure the commercial harvest of muskoxen on Banks Island is sustainable. This project is led by the Government of the Northwest Territories, Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. Parks Canada Agency is a partner in this project, contributing funds and other resources towards the project.
Objectives
- To obtain current estimates of the number of non-calf and calf muskoxen on Banks Island.
- To determine productivity and recruitment of muskoxen calves in the Egg, Masik and Thomsen river areas.
- To assess late winter snow conditions in high density muskoxen areas.
- To determine body condition of muskoxen.
- To determine the presence and abundance of parasites and diseases in muskoxen.
Methods and Information Collected
- All areas of Banks Island are surveyed, including Aulavik National Park.
- Muskoxen are counted from a fixed-wing aircraft.
- Age and sex classification of muskoxen is conducted in their high density summer ranges. These ranges are in the vicinity of the Egg, Masik, Thomsen and Muskox rivers.
- Classification surveys are conducted by positioning surveyors near groups of muskoxen with a helicopter. Muskoxen are then observed with spotting scopes or binoculars and are classified by age and sex. Attempts are made to classify a minimum of 500 muskoxen, or 30 groups of muskoxen, in each area surveyed.
- Productivity is estimated by counting the number of calves present per 100 2-year-old or older females.
- Recruitment of calves is determined by counting the number of yearlings present per 100 3-year-old or older females. This number is divided by the previous years estimate of the number of calves present per 100 2-year-old or older females.
- Snow depth, density and hardness are measured in high density muskoxen areas and adjacent to muskoxen feeding sites.
- Urine samples from muskoxen are collected in low and high muskoxen density areas and analysed to determine animal body condition.
- Incidental observations of wolves are recorded.
- Fecal and fourth stomach samples are collected and analysed to determine infection by parasites.
Years of Data
- Whole island population surveys of muskoxen have been conducted every 3-4 years since 1982.
- Classification surveys were conducted in the Thomsen River area during the 1980s and from 1999-2000.
- Winter range conditions have been monitored on Banks Island since 1993.
- Muskoxen late winter body condition has been assessed since 1993.
- Parasite levels have been assessed in 2000 and 2001.
Partners
- Government of the Northwest Territories, Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (project lead)
Results
- Banks Island was surveyed from July 7-15, 2001 using a strip transect survey flown at 20% coverage. The population is estimated at 68,788 non-calf adults.
- A composition survey was completed on July 22-23, 2001. The results show 41 calves per 100 2-year-old or older cows.
- Urine samples were collected in April 2001 to assess body condition.
- Fecal samples were collected monthly until August 2001 to determine infection levels of gastro-intestinal parasites.
- Fourth stomach samples were collected from harvested animals during spring 2001 to determine the number and species of parasites present.
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| Population estimates for muskoxen
on Banks Island, 1972-2001. Source: Government of the Northwest Territories,
Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. |
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