Cape Bathurst and Bluenose-West Caribou Monitoring
Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development
Rationale
Caribou.
© John Nagy |
The Cape Bathurst and Bluenose-West caribou herds are two barren-ground caribou
herds in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. In 2000 the number of adult
caribou in these herds was estimated to be 15,000 and 75,000 respectively.
Information about the biology of the two herds is required to understand their
current status and how their populations change over time. The draft Co-management
Plan for the Cape Bathurst, Bluenose-West and Bluenose-East Caribou Herds,
created in consultation with the Gwich’in, Sahtu, Inuvialuit and Inuit,
indicates the need to conduct a variety of activities to monitor both caribou
herds. The Government of the Northwest Territories, Department of Resources,
Wildlife and Economic Development leads this project. Parks Canada is a partner
in this project, contributing funds and conducting parts of the research.
Objectives
- To determine the population size, productivity, recruitment of caribou
calves, age and sex composition, mortality of females, parasite infection
levels, distribution and movements of the Cape Bathurst and Bluenose-West
caribou herds.
Methods and Information Collected
- Surveys of the Cape Bathurst and Bluenose-West caribou herds are conducted
in the Cape Bathurst and Melville Hills regions in the Northwest Territories.
Part of this area includes Tuktut Nogait National Park.
- Surveys to determine recruitment of calves and productivity are conducted
in March and June. Age and sex composition surveys are conducted in October.
- Productivity, recruitment of calves and age and sex composition surveys
are conducted with radio telemetry equipped fixed-wing aircraft and a helicopter.
The fixed wing aircraft is flown over suspected calving ranges for each herd
to locate radio-collared caribou. A helicopter is then used to classify caribou
that were observed by the fixed-winged aircraft. Classifications are conducted
by landing near groups of caribou and observing them with a spotting scope.
For small groups of caribou, classifications are also conducted form the air.
- Forty-five caribou (35 adult females and 10 adult males) from the Bluenose-West
herd and 14 caribou from the Cape Bathurst herd (11 adult females and 3 adult
males) were equipped with radio collars in 1999 and 2000. Satellite-radio
collars were placed on 13 adult caribou from the Bluenose-West herd in 1996,
1997 and 1999 and on 2 adult caribou from the Cape Bathurst herd in 1996 and
1999. 6 additional satellite radio collars were placed on Cape Bathurst adults
in March of 2002.
- Female mortality rates are estimated from death rates of female caribou
with satellite radio collars.
- Fecal samples were collected in 2001 and 2002 to determine infection levels
of gastro-intestinal parasites. They were also collected in 2003 to determine
infection levels in the Bluenose-West herd.
- Fall body condition was assessed in 2002 using various caribou body parts
collected from hunters.
- Fourth stomach samples were collected from harvested animals during 2001
to determine the number and species of parasites present.
Results
- A survey to determine productivity was conducted in the Bluenose-West calving
area from June 20-24, 2003 and in the Cape Bathurst calving area from June
25-26, 2003. Results show a ratio of 53 calves per 100 2-year old or older
cows for the Bluenose-West herd and 47 calves per 100 2-year old or older
cows for the Cape Bathurst herd.
- Satellite tracking data collected since 1996 was animated and distributed
on a CD-ROM.
Years of Data
- Productivity and age and sex compositions surveys have been conducted since
2000.
- Population estimates of the Cape Bathurst and Bluenose-West caribou herds
on calving and post calving ranges were conducted in 1986, 1987, 1992, 2000
and 2002.
- A productivity survey was conducted in 1981, and has since been conducted
yearly since 2000. Eight surveys have been conducted between 1983 and 1994
to determine recruitment of caribou calves. One age and sex composition survey
was conducted in 1978.
- The presence and abundance of parasites was assessed in 2001.
Partners
- Government of the Northwest Territories, Department of Resources, Wildlife
and Economic Development (project lead).
Funding
- Government of the Northwest Territories
Parks Canada
Data Location
- Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Inuvik
- Parks Canada, Inuvik
Contacts
John Nagy
Supervisor of Wildlife Management
Government of the Northwest Territories
Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development
Bag Service # 1
Inuvik NT X0E 0T0
Phone: (867) 777-7305
Fax: (867) 777-7321
John_Nagy@gov.nt.ca
Christian Bucher
Site Manager
Tuktut Nogait National Park
Parks Canada
P.O. Box 91
Paulatuk, NT X0E 1N0
Phone: (867) 580-3233
Fax: (867) 580-3234
Christian.Bucher@pc.gc.ca