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Journal Publications
Miller F.L.., and Gunn A. 2002.Catastrophic Die-off of Peary Caribou on the Western Queen Elizabeth
Islands, Canadian High Arctic.
Arctic Vol. 56, NO. 4 (PDF =
541 KB
Abstract
The Peary caribou (Rangifer
tarandus pearyi) is an endangered species in Canada, having been in an
overall decline since 1961. Sightings of Peary caribou were compared from
two aerial searches, in 1993 and 1998, on the western Queen Elizabeth
Islands in the Canadian High Arctic. The comparison indicated a near-total
(98%) cataclysmic decline in the number of Peary caribou seen per unit of
search effort. In summer 1993, 2400 caribou were counted during 33.8 h of
low-level helicopter searches.
In contrast, in summer 1998, only 43 caribou were seen within the same area
during 35.2 h of low-level helicopter searches. The frequency of observation
was markedly different (118.3 caribou/100 min in 1993, but only 2.0
caribou/100 min in 1998. The number of carcasses indicated that the decline
resulted from deaths and not from mass emigration. Males died at a
disproportionately higher rate than females among all 1+ yr old caribou, and
bulls (4+ yr) compared to cows (3+ yr) had died at an even greater rate.
Widespread, prolonged, exceptionally severe snow and ice conditions from
1994–95 to 1996–97 caused the die-off. Trends in snowfall are consistent
with predictions for global warming in the western Canadian High Arctic.
Future climate change may increase the frequency of years with unfavorable
snow and ice conditions, which could prevent or at least impede future
recovery of Peary caribou populations on the western Queen Elizabeth
Islands, particularly to sizes that would support subsistence harvesting.
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