Bluenose Caribou
Herds
Barren-ground
caribou that occupy the area of northern NWT and western Nunavut, are
considered to part of the Bluenose caribou herd.
Their
population numbers remained relatively low during the 1970’s and early
1980’s. In the mid 1980’s, herd numbers began increasing steadily and
in 1992, when the last survey was done on the Bluenose population as one
herd, their population was estimated to be approximately 122,000 caribou.
Analyses of distribution information
documented during surveys done between 1966 and 1993 using a computerized
geographic information system (GIS) indicated that there were three
distinct calving and two rutting areas within the Bluenose range.
The
results of satellite tracking and genetic studies completed between 1996
and 2003 confirmed the hypothesis that there are three distinct herds that
use different seasonal ranges (calving and especially rutting). These
genetically distinct herds are the
Cape
Bathurst,
Bluenose-West and
Bluenose-East herds, and as of the year 2000, have been censused as
distinct herds.
In 2005, a population survey of the Cape Bathurst, Bluenose West and
Bluenose East barren-ground caribou herds showed populations had declined
significantly since the 2000 estimates.
Results from the July 2006 surveys of the Cape Bathurst
and Bluenose-West caribou herds indicate these herds continue to
decline. The July 2006 survey of the Bluenose East herd indicates this
herd has remained the same size since last year.
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