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Nishi, J.S., and Gunn, A.
2004 An Estimation of Herd Size for the Migratory Dolphin and Union
Caribou Herd Suring the Rut (17 - 22 October 1997).
pp. 68
ABSTRACT
Based
on various observations of caribou staging along the southern coastline of
Victoria Island during the fall rut including i) annual fall sightings by
Inuit hunters, ii) previous aerial reconnaissance along the coastline in
October 1994 and 1996, and iii) the distribution of VHF radio-collared
cows along southern Victoria Island in October 1994 and 1997, we surveyed
the coastline to determine relative distribution and abundance during the
rut. Our first objective was to document relative caribou densities and
distributions through a non-systematic reconnaissance and provide a basis
for subsequent stratification and survey. Our second objective was to
derive a precise estimate of caribou numbers along the southern coast
within a strip transect aerial survey design. On
17 and 18 of October 1998, we flew along the southern coastline of
Victoria Island from Lady Franklin Point to Parker Bay.
During the reconnaissance survey, we counted 10 379 caribou
and found that most were either in the area between Cape Colborne and
Anderson Bay or between Cape Peel and Nakyoktok (Richardson Islands).
Most groups of caribou were within 10 km of the coast. From those
observations, we designed a survey to estimate the number of caribou that
were along the southern coastline.
We stratified the coastline into eight different survey strata to
get a precise estimate of caribou numbers.
From 19 to 22 October, we surveyed each stratum.
We counted a total of 5087 caribou on ca.
1047 km of line transects and estimated that there were 27 948
± 3367 (Standard
Error) caribou in the surveyed area. We suggest that an aerial survey
during the fall rut is a useful technique to estimate size of the
migratory Dolphin and Union caribou herd and recommend that additional
work should build on this survey design. Replication and independent
validation of this survey technique would be best achieved though the
inclusion of satellite telemetry and aerial surveys. |
