Banks Island Peary Caribou Monitoring
Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development
Rationale
Releasing satellite collared caribou on Victoria Island.
© John Nagy |
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. The size of the population
declined to 436 non-calf caribou in 1998, but increased to 1,196 non-calf caribou
in 2001. Possible factors for the population decline include harvest, competition
with other wildlife and the movement of caribou to other Arctic islands. 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 2002/2003. 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 for Banks Island
Peary 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
- The survey area covers all of Banks Island, including Aulavik National
Park.
- Caribou are counted from a fixed-wing aircraft.
- Classification surveys are conducted by using a helicopter to position
surveyors near groups of caribou. Caribou are observed with spotting scopes
or binoculars and classified by age and sex.
- Incidental observations of wolves are recorded during the survey.
- Productivity is estimated by counting the number of calves present per
100 two-year-old or older females.
- Over winter survival 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 Banks Island Peary caribou in 1999,
and on 10 Low Arctic Peary caribou on Victoria Island in 2003, to track their
distribution and movement.
- Fecal and fourth stomach samples are collected to determine the infection
of caribou with parasites.
Results
- The last population survey, conducted in 2001, estimated the population
of Banks Island Peary caribou to be 1,196 non-calf caribou. The next population
survey is scheduled to be conducted in 2004 or 2005.
- Estimates of productivity range from 24 to 75.6 calves:100 adult female
from 1982 to 2001.
- Over winter survival of calves ranges from 23 to 86% survival from 1991
to 1999.
Years of Data
- Population estimates have been conducted since 1972.
- Classification surveys have been conducted since 1982.
- Winter range conditions have been monitored since 1994.
- Caribou late winter body condition has been assessed since 1993.
- Parasite levels have been assessed since 2000.
- Information on summer caribou ranges has been collected since 1982.
Partners
- Government of the Northwest Territories, Department of Resources, Wildlife
and Economic Development (DRWED) (project lead)
Funding
- Government of the Northwest Territories
- Parks Canada
Data Location
- Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Inuvik
Population estimates for adult caribou 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
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