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Ferguson,
M.A.D. 1991. Peary caribou and muskoxen on Bathurst Island, Northwest
Territories, from 1961 to 1981. 54 pp.
ABSTRACT
To
determine whether or not Peary caribou (Rangifer tarandus pearyi)
and muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) had recovered since the
early 1970s, I conducted an aerial survey of Bathurst Island, Northwest
Territories, during the period 10-13 August 1981.
I estimated populations of 289 caribou and 208 muskoxen on
Bathurst Island.
Sampling intensity was 26%, except for 74% over Polar Bear Pass
(2% of the island's area) . The minimum count of 229 muskoxen indicated
that a large proportion of the population was observed.
The 1981 caribou and muskox estimates were slightly greater than
August 1974 estimates of 231 caribou and 164 muskoxen.
The 1981 caribou population was 11% of the 2723 estimated in
1961; while the 1981 muskox estimate was 18% of the 1136 estimated in
1961.
In 1981, the proportion of calves. among observed animals was 19%
for caribou and 16% for muskoxen.
Thus calf production and/or survival in 1981 was significantly
greater than in 1974 when no calves were observed, and similar to that
in 1961.
After excluding solitary animals (7% of all groups) , caribou
group size averaged 5.6 in August 1981, as expected from past studies.
Muskox groups (after excluding solitary animals, 12% of all
groups) averaged 10.2 animals, which was about normal for the time of
year.
During
the period 10-13 August 1981, Bathurst Island caribou were concentrated
north of 76020'N, the northernmost limit of their seasonal
migration.
Caribou preferred elevations of 151-300 m above sea level (ASL).
Muskoxen were concentrated in southern and central Bathurst
Island; preferring elevations below 150 m ASL.
The clear spatial separation of the two species indicated little
or no range overlap during mid-summer.
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