Caribou

The Fate of the Caribou project is a group of interdisciplinary researchers working to investigate changes in caribou populations and movements, grounded in concerns and observations from Indigenous Elders, hunters, and Knowledge Holders. With experts on caribou population cycles, migration, soundscapes (what caribou hear), and vegetation mapping, we use science to further the collective understanding of shifts in caribou movements, their survival, and how they use their landscapes.

In some years, the Bathurst herd’s winter range overlaps the winter ranges of its neighboring herds (Bluenose East and Beverly herds). The overlapping winter distribution between the herds has complicated monitoring and assigning harvest quotas and possibly impacts potential switches of cow caribou between calving grounds.

A technical working group was established to compile information and determine the current abundance, trend, and distribution of wolverine on the ranges of the Bathurst and Bluenose East caribou herds. The information available for the Bathurst and Bluenose East caribou ranges is too fragmented to determine whether wolverine have become a more important predator of barren-ground caribou during the recent caribou and wolf declines, given that wolverine are long-lived and opportunistic in their behavior. 

This framework is to assess the monitoring data that becomes available throughout the year and to reassess the implementation success of management and monitoring activities. The framework will encourage collaborative understanding and discussions considering the different sets of indicators. The need to step co-management forward using both Indigenous and Scientific knowledge is being increasingly recognized.  

The Grizzly Bear and Wolverine Biological and Management Feasibility Working Group (WG) was formed to compile information about grizzly bear predation on Bluenose-east and Bathurst Caribou, as well as management options and their risks.  Grizzly bear management options are to be provided to management authorities, who in turn, and depending on their decisions, will submit specific management proposals for review in a public forum to allow for further discussion. 

A summary of harvest and monitoring activities for the Bathurst, Bluenose-East, and Bevery/Ahiak caribou herds in 2017/2018.

A summary of harvest and monitoring activities for the Bathurst, Bluenose-East, and Bevery/Ahiak caribou herds in 2016/2017.

A summary of harvest and monitoring activities for the Bathurst, Bluenose-East, and Bevery/Ahiak caribou herds in 2015/2016.

A summary of harvest and monitoring activities for the Bathurst, Bluenose-East, and Bevery/Ahiak caribou herds in 2014/2015.