DOCSLIB.ORG

Department of the Interior

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Department of the Interior Vol. 79 Thursday, No. 89 May 8, 2014 Part II Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Finding on a Petition To Delist the Southern Selkirk Mountains Population of Woodland Caribou and Proposed Rule To Amend the Listing; Proposed Rule VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:28 May 07, 2014 Jkt 232001 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4717 Sfmt 4717 E:\FR\FM\08MYP2.SGM 08MYP2 tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 26504 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 89 / Thursday, May 8, 2014 / Proposed Rules DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR proposed amendment to the listed entity • For any petition to revise the become final. Federal Lists of Endangered and Fish and Wildlife Service DATES: We will accept all comments Threatened Wildlife and Plants, we are received or postmarked on or before July required under the Act to promptly 50 CFR Part 17 7, 2014. Comments submitted publish a finding in the Federal Register within 1 year. Listing, [Docket No. FWS–R1–ES–2012–0097; electronically using the Federal FXES11130900000C2–123–FF09E32000] eRulemaking Portal (see ADDRESSES removing, or changing the status of a section, below) must be received by species as an endangered or threatened RIN 1018–AZ74 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing species can only be completed by issuing a rule. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife date. We must receive requests for • public hearings, in writing, at the Any proposed or final rule affecting and Plants; 12-Month Finding on a the status of a possible DPS as address shown in the FOR FURTHER Petition To Delist the Southern Selkirk endangered or threatened under the Act INFORMATION CONTACT section by June Mountains Population of Woodland should clearly analyze the action using 23, 2014 Caribou and Proposed Rule To Amend the following three elements: the Listing ADDRESSES: You may submit comments Discreteness of the population segment by one of the following methods: in relation to the remainder of the taxon AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, (1) Electronically: Go to the Federal to which it belongs; the significance of Interior. eRulemaking Portal: http:// the population segment to the taxon to ACTION: Proposed rule; 12-month www.regulations.gov. In the Search which it belongs; and the conservation petition finding. field, enter Docket No. FWS–R1–ES– status of the population segment in 2012–0097, which is the docket number relation to the Act’s standards for SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and for this rulemaking. Then, in the Search listing. Wildlife Service (Service), announce a panel on the left side of the screen, • Under the Act, any species that is 12-month finding on a petition to delist under the Document Type heading, determined to be an endangered or the southern Selkirk Mountains click on the Proposed Rules link to threatened species requires critical population of woodland caribou locate this document. You may submit habitat to be designated, to the (Rangifer tarandus caribou). This a comment by clicking on the blue maximum extent prudent and species is currently listed as endangered ‘‘Comment Now!’’ box. If your determinable. Designations and under the Endangered Species Act of comments will fit in the provided revisions of critical habitat can only be 1973, as amended (Act). After review of comment box, please use this feature of completed through rulemaking. Here we the best available scientific and http://www.regulations.gov, as it is most propose to reaffirm the designation of commercial information, we find that compatible with our comment review approximately 30,010 acres (ac) (12,145 delisting the species is not warranted, procedures. If you attach your hectares (ha)) in one unit within but rather, a revision to the current comments as a separate document, our Boundary County, Idaho, and Pend listed entity to define a distinct preferred file format is Microsoft Word. Oreille County, Washington, as critical population segment (DPS), consistent If you attach multiple comments (such habitat for the Southern Mountain with our 1996 distinct population as form letters), our preferred format is Caribou DPS should the proposed segment policy, is appropriate. As such, a spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel. amendment to the listed entity become we propose to amend the current listing (2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail final. of the southern Selkirk Mountains or hand-delivery to: Public Comments This rule proposes to amend the population of woodland caribou by Processing, Attn: FWS–R1–ES–2012– current listing of the southern Selkirk defining the Southern Mountain 0097; Division of Policy and Directives Mountains population of woodland Caribou DPS, which includes the Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife caribou as follows: currently listed southern Selkirk Service, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS • By defining the Southern Mountain Mountains population of woodland 2042–PDM, Arlington, VA 22203. Caribou distinct population segment caribou, and we propose to designate We request that you send comments (DPS), which includes the currently the status of the Southern Mountain only by the methods described above. listed southern Selkirk Mountains Caribou DPS as threatened under the We will post all information received on population of woodland caribou; Act. If we finalize this rule as proposed, • http://www.regulations.gov. This By designating the status of the the Southern Mountain Caribou DPS generally means that we will post any Southern Mountain Caribou DPS as will be listed as threatened under the personal information you provide us threatened under the Act; and Act. This DPS includes the currently • (see the Information Requested section By reaffirming the designation of listed southern Selkirk Mountains below for more details). approximately 30,010 ac (12,145 ha) as population of woodland caribou, a critical habitat for the Southern transboundary population that moves FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mountain Caribou DPS. between British Columbia, Canada, and Michael Carrier, State Supervisor, U.S. The basis for our action. The southern northern Idaho and northeastern Fish and Wildlife Service, Idaho Fish Selkirk Mountains woodland caribou Washington, United States. We have and Wildlife Office, 1387 S. Vinnell was listed under the Act on February determined that the approximately Way, Room 368, Boise, ID 83709; 29, 1984 (49 FR 7390). According to our 30,010 acres (12,145 hectares) telephone 208–378–5243; facsimile ‘‘Policy Regarding the Recognition of designated as critical habitat on 208–378–5262. Persons who use a Distinct Vertebrate Population Segments November 28, 2012 (77 FR 71042), for telecommunications device for the deaf Under the Endangered Species Act’’ the southern Selkirk Mountains (TDD) may call the Federal Information (DPS policy; 61 FR 4722, February 7, population of woodland caribou is Relay Service (FIRS) at 800–877–8339. 1996), the appropriate application of the applicable to the U.S. portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: policy to pre-1996 DPS listings shall be proposed Southern Mountain Caribou considered in our 5-year reviews. We Executive Summary DPS and, as such, reaffirm the existing conducted a DPS analysis during our critical habitat for the DPS should the Why we need to publish a rule. 2008 5-year review, which concluded VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:28 May 07, 2014 Jkt 232001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\08MYP2.SGM 08MYP2 tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 89 / Thursday, May 8, 2014 / Proposed Rules 26505 that the southern Selkirk Mountains populations of the Southern Mountain on the Web site. If your submission is population of woodland caribou met Caribou DPS; and made via a hard copy that includes both the discreteness and significance (e) Past and ongoing conservation personal identifying information, you elements of the DPS policy. However, measures for the DPS, its habitat, or may request at the top of your document we now recognize that this analysis did both. that we withhold this information from not consider the significance of this (2) The factors that are the basis for public review. However, we cannot population relative to the appropriate making a listing or delisting guarantee that we will be able to do so. taxon. The purpose of the DPS policy is determination for a species under We will post all hardcopy submissions to set forth standards for determining section 4(a) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 on http://www.regulations.gov. Please which populations of vertebrate et seq.), which are: include sufficient information with your organisms that are subsets of species or (a) The present or threatened comments to allow us to verify any subspecies may qualify as entities that destruction, modification, or scientific or commercial information we may list as endangered or threatened curtailment of its habitat or range; you include. (b) Overutilization for commercial, under the Act. In the 2008 5-year Comments and materials we receive, review, we assessed the significance of recreational, scientific, or educational purposes; as well as some of the supporting the southern Selkirk Mountains documentation we used in preparing population to the ‘‘mountain ecotype’’ (c) Disease or predation; (d) The inadequacy of existing this proposed rule, will be available for of woodland caribou. The ‘‘mountain public inspection on http:// ecotype’’ is not a species or subspecies. regulatory mechanisms; or (e) Other natural or manmade factors www.regulations.gov. All comments, The appropriate DPS analysis for the materials, and supporting southern Selkirk Mountains population affecting its continued existence. (3) Biological, commercial trade, or documentation are available by of woodland caribou should have been other relevant data concerning any appointment, during normal business conducted relative to the subspecies threats (or lack thereof) to this DPS and hours, at the Service’s Idaho Fish and woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus regulations that may be addressing those Wildlife Office (see FOR FURTHER caribou).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Recovery Strategy for the Woodland Caribou (Rangifer Tarandus Caribou), Boreal Population, in Canada
    PROPOSED Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series Recovery Strategy for the Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), Boreal Population, in Canada Woodland Caribou, Boreal Population 2011 Recommended citation: Environment Canada. 2011. Recovery Strategy for the Woodland Caribou, Boreal population (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in Canada [Proposed]. Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series. Environment Canada, Ottawa. vi + 55 pp. For copies of the recovery strategy, or for additional information on species at risk, including COSEWIC Status Reports, residence descriptions, action plans, and other related recovery documents, please visit the Species at Risk Public Registry (www.sararegistry.gc.ca). Cover illustration : Courtesy Dr. Crichton Également disponible en français sous le titre « Programme de rétablissement du Caribou des bois (Rangifer tarandus caribou), Population boréale, au Canada » © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of the Environment, 2011. All rights reserved. ISBN Catalogue no. Content (excluding the illustrations) may be used without permission, with appropriate credit to the source. Recovery Strategy for the Woodland Caribou, Boreal Population 2011 PREFACE The federal, provincial, and territorial government signatories under the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk (1996) agreed to establish complementary legislation and programs that provide for effective protection of species at risk throughout Canada. Under the Species at Risk Act (S.C. 2002, c.29) (SARA), the federal competent ministers are responsible for the preparation of recovery strategies for listed Extirpated, Endangered, and Threatened species and are required to report on progress within five years. The Minister of the Environment is the competent Minister for this recovery strategy.
    [Show full text]
  • TB1066 Current Stateof Knowledge and Research on Woodland
    June 2020 A Review of the Relationship Between Flow,Current Habitat, State and of Biota Knowledge in LOTIC and SystemsResearch and on Methods Woodland for Determining Caribou Instreamin Canada Low Requirements 9491066 Current State of Knowledge and Research on Woodland Caribou in Canada No 1066 June 2020 Prepared by Kevin A. Solarik, PhD NCASI Montreal, Quebec National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, Inc. Acknowledgments A great deal of thanks is owed to Dr. John Cook of NCASI for his considerable insight and the revisions he provided in improving earlier drafts of this report. Helpful comments on earlier drafts were also provided by Kirsten Vice, NCASI. For more information about this research, contact: Kevin A. Solarik, PhD Kirsten Vice NCASI NCASI Director of Forestry Research, Canada and Vice President, Sustainable Manufacturing and Northeastern/Northcentral US Canadian Operations 2000 McGill College Avenue, 6th Floor 2000 McGill College Avenue, 6th Floor Montreal, Quebec, H3A 3H3 Canada Montreal, Quebec, H3A 3H3 Canada (514) 907-3153 (514) 907-3145 [email protected] [email protected] To request printed copies of this report, contact NCASI at [email protected] or (352) 244-0900. Cite this report as: NCASI. 2020. Current state of knowledge and research on woodland caribou in Canada. Technical Bulletin No. 1066. Cary, NC: National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, Inc. Errata: September 2020 - Table 3.1 (page 34) and Table 5.2 (pages 55-57) were edited to correct omissions and typos in the data. © 2020 by the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, Inc. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY • Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) is a species of deer that lives in the tundra, taiga, and forest habitats at high latitudes in the northern hemisphere, including areas of Russia and Scandinavia, the United States, and Canada.
    [Show full text]
  • Barren-Ground Caribou, Dolphin and Union Population
    PROPOSED FINAL Species at Risk Act Management Plan Series Adopted under Section 69 of SARA Management Plan for the Barren-ground Caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus), Dolphin and Union population, in Canada: Adoption of the Management Plan for the Dolphin and Union Caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus x pearyi) in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Barren-ground Caribou, Dolphin and Union population 2017 Recommended citation: Environment and Climate Change Canada. 2017. Management Plan for the Barren-ground Caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus), Dolphin and Union population, in Canada: Adoption of the Management Plan for the Dolphin and Union Caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus x pearyi) in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut [Proposed Final]. Species at Risk Act Management Plan Series. Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa. 2 parts, 3 pp. + 102 pp. For copies of the management plan or for additional information on species at risk, including the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) Status Reports, residence descriptions, action plans, and other related recovery documents, please visit the Species at Risk (SAR) Public Registry1. Cover photo: © Kim Poole Également disponible en français sous le titre «Plan de gestion du caribou de la toundra (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus) population Dolphin-et-Union au Canada : adoption du plan de gestion du caribou de Dolphin-et- Union (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus x pearyi) dans les Territoires du Nord-Ouest et au Nunavut [Version finale
    [Show full text]
  • Caribou 1 Caribou
    Caribou 1 Caribou This article is about the North American animal. For the Eurasian animal, see Reindeer. For other uses, see Caribou (disambiguation). Caribou (North America) Male Porcupine caribou R. t. granti in Alaska Conservation status Least Concern (IUCN 3.1) Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Cervidae Subfamily: Capreolinae Genus: Rangifer C.H. Smith, 1827 Species: R. tarandus Binomial name Rangifer tarandus (Linnaeus, 1758) Subspecies in North America • R. t. caribou – Canada and U.S • R. t. granti – Alaska, Yukon • R. t. groenlandicus – Nunavut, NWT, western Greenland • R. t. pearyi – Baffin Island, Nunavut, NWT Also see text Caribou 2 Approximate range of caribou subspecies in North America. Overlap is possible for contiguous range. 1.Rangifer tarandus caribousubdivided into ecotypes: woodland (boreal), woodland (migratory), woodland (montane), 2.R t Dawsoni extinct 1907, 3. R t granti, 4.R t groenlandicus, 5.Groenlandicus/Pearyi 6. R t pearyi Synonyms reindeer in Europe and Eurasia The caribou,[1] also known as reindeer and wild reindeer in Europe and Eurasia,[1] of the same species—Rangifer tarandus— is a medium size ungulate of the Cervidae family which also includes wapiti, moose and deer. The North American range of this Holarctic animal extends from Alaska, through the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, into the boreal forest and south through the Canadian Rockies and the Columbia and Selkirk Mountains.[2] The caribou is a specialist that is well adapted to cooler climates with hollow-hair fur that covers almost all of its body including its nose, and provides insulation in winter and flotation for swimming.[2] Two major subspecies in North America, the R.
    [Show full text]
  • Seasonal Changes in the Composition of the Diets of Peary Caribou and Muskoxen on Banks Island
    Seasonal changes in the composition of the diets of Peary caribou and muskoxen on Banks Island Nicholas C. Larter & John A. Nagy Caribou and muskoxen are the only ungulate species occupying Arctic tundra environments. We analysed plant fragments found in fresh (< 4 hr old) samples of faecal material to determine the diets of Peary caribou (Rangifer tarandus pearyi) and muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) on Banks Island, Canada. Willow was a major component of the diets of both ani- mals, dominating the caribou diet during summer and representing sub- stantial proportions of the muskoxen diet during at least seven months of the year. The diet of caribou was more diverse than that of muskoxen and was dominated by sedge, willow (Salix arctica), legume (Astragalus spp., Oxytropis spp.) and Dryas integrifolia. The diet of muskoxen was domi- nated by sedge and willow. There was substantial overlap (up to 70 %) in the diets of these herbivores with the similarity more pronounced in areas of high muskox density (ca. 1.65 animals/km2). We discuss herbivore diets in relation to foraging behaviour and forage availability. N. C. Larter, Government of the Northwest Territories, Department of Resources, Wildlife & Economic Development, Box 240, Ft. Simpson, NT, Canada X0E 0N0, [email protected]; J. A. Nagy, Government of the Northwest Territories, Department of Resources, Wildlife & Economic Development, Bag Service #1, Inuvik, NT, Canada X0E 0T0. Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) and muskoxen 1978; Thomas & Edmonds 1983; Oakes et al. (Ovibos moschatus) are the only ungulate spe- 1992; Larter & Nagy 1997), Alaska (e.g. Svend- cies successfully occupying Arctic tundra envi- sen 1992; Ihl 1999; Ihl & Klein 2001), and Green- ronments.
    [Show full text]
  • Project Caribou an Educator’S Guide to Wild Caribou of North America
    An Educator’s Guide to Wild Caribou of North America Copyright 2018 This book may be reproduced for educational purposes only. The illustrations may be duplicated solely for instructional use of this material. Reproduction for any other purpose is strictly prohibited without written permission from the publisher. For more information please contact: Environmental Education and Youth Programs Government of Yukon, Department of Environment Conservation Officer Services Box 2703, Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2C6 (867) 667-3675 or 1-800-661-0408 fax (867) 393-6206 [email protected] ISBN: 978-1-55362-794-4 Photo and illustration credits Government of Yukon, Department of Environment Government of Northwest Territories 1, 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 19, 23, 25, 26, 27, 29, 31, 55, 65, 78, 87, 89 90, 94, 98, 99, 100, 102, 122 Government of Nunavut Doug Urquhart (illustrations) 132 3, 20, 26, 27, 29, 31, 34, 36, 42, 53, 63, 68, 75, 84, 98, 121 Joyce Majiski Government of Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service Cover, i 2, 9, 15, 18, 22, 24 Tanya Handley (illustrations) vii, 37, 40, 43, 102, 103 Jennifer Staniforth (illustrations) 4, 5, 10, 63 Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board (illustrations) 47, 48, 49, 50 Northern Contaminants Committee 37, 40, 42, 43 Government of Quebec 112, 115 Project Caribou An Educator’s Guide to Wild Caribou of North America Project manager: Remy Rodden, Government of Yukon, Department of Environment Consultants: Darielle Talarico, Arctic Vision, Whitehorse, Yukon Principal writer: Kirsten Madsen, Whitehorse, Yukon Original illustrations: Jennifer Staniforth, Doug Urquhart, Tanya Handley Cover: Joyce Majiski Editing and production: Walker LeBrun Creative Services, Whitehorse, Yukon Government of Yukon, Department of Environment (2018 edition) Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board i Project Caribou Acknowledgments Project Caribou is the result of the Sharon Russell Nova Scotia efforts of many individuals.
    [Show full text]
  • Aerial Survey of Muskoxen (Ovibos Moschatus) and Peary Caribou (Rangifer Tarandus Pearyi) on Northwest Victoria Island, April-May 2015
    Aerial Survey of Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) and Peary Caribou (Rangifer tarandus pearyi) on Northwest Victoria Island, April-May 2015 Tracy Davison and Judy Williams Environment and Natural Resources Government of the Northwest Territories 2019 Manuscript Report No. 277 The contents of this paper are the sole responsibility of the authors. ii ABSTRACT A caribou and muskox strip transect survey was conducted on northwest Victoria Island between April 14th and May 6th, 2015. There were a total of 2,782 adult muskox (and 139 calves) seen on transect in all four stratums surveyed yielding a population estimate of 14,547±2,593 (95% confident interval) non-calf muskox for the entire area surveyed. Two Peary caribou and 16 wolves were also observed. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT .............................................................................................................................................................. iii LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................................................... v LIST OF TABLES..................................................................................................................................................... v INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................................... 1 METHODS ................................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Peary Caribou Management Plan Without Full Involvement of Both Arctic Bay and Pond Inlet
    SUBMISSION TO THE NUNAVUT WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT BOARD (NWMB) Regular Meeting No. RM 002- 2018 FOR Information: ☐ Decision: ☒ Issue: Delay or Suspension of the NWMB Public Hearing Processes for “Management Plan for Peary Caribou in Nunavut”, and All Peary Caribou TAHs and Moratoriums in Qikiqtaaluk Region Background: Since the 1960s, Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord have been effectively self-managing Peary caribou harvests on the High Arctic islands within their resource use areas. These communities have over 50 years of Peary caribou management expertise, which they have adjusted as needed with many population fluctuations and changes in distributions of Peary caribou. In their harvesting areas, no caribou populations have been depleted due to harvesting under the communities’ careful and wise management. The QWB supports the HTOs in continuing their long legacy of Peary caribou management based mainly on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit. Nunavut’s Department of Environment (DoE) has developed a Peary caribou management plan without full involvement of both Arctic Bay and Pond Inlet. During February 2018, DoE consulted about the proposed plan with the HTO Boards in Grise Fiord and Resolute Bay, but not in Arctic Bay and Pond Inlet. Public meetings were not held in Grise Fiord and Resolute Bay, but the HTO Boards did inform DoE that the public had to be consulted before decisions could be made. Inuit in the communities do not understand the implications of the proposed Plan. The communities want to be able to continue their proven community-based management of Peary caribou. These effective mechanisms have not been explicitly recognized and enabled in the current draft of the DoE plan.
    [Show full text]
  • Barren-Ground Caribou (Rangifer Tarandus Groenlandicus)
    Assessment Summary – May 2004 Common name Barren-ground caribou (Dolphin and Union population) Scientific name Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus Status Special Concern Reason for designation This population of caribou is endemic to Canada. Once thought to be extinct, numbers have recovered to perhaps a quarter of the population historic size. They have not been censused since 1997 and are subject to a high rate of harvest, whose sustainability is questioned by some. They migrate between the mainland and Victoria Island and climate warming or increased shipping may make the ice crossing more dangerous. The population, however, increased substantially over the last three generations and was estimated at about 28,000 in 1997. Occurrence Northwest Territories, Nunavut Status history The original designation considered a single unit that included Peary caribou, Rangifer tarandus pearyi, and what is now known as the Dolphin and Union population of the barren-ground caribou, Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus. It was assigned a status of Threatened in April 1979. Split to allow designation of three separate populations in 1991: Banks Island (Endangered), High Arctic (Endangered) and Low Arctic (Threatened) populations. In May 2004 all three population designations were de-activated, and the Peary caribou, Rangifer tarandus pearyi, was assessed separately from the barren-ground caribou (Dolphin and Union population), Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus. The Dolphin and Union population is composed of a portion of the former “Low Arctic population”, and it was designated Special Concern in May 2004. Last assessment based on an update status report. iv .
    [Show full text]
  • Distribution and Abundance P Caribou
    THE DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF PEARY CARIBOU AND MUSKOXEN ACROSS THE NORTH WESTERN HIGH ARCTIC ISLANDS, NUNAVUT Debbie Jenkins1 1Regional Wildlife Biologist, Department of Environment, Government of Nunavut, P.O. Box 389, Pond Inlet, NU X0A 0S0 2008 Interim Wildlife Report, No. 15 Jenkins, D. 2008. The distribution and abundance of Peary caribou and muskoxen across the North Western High Arctic Islands, Nunavut. Department of Environment, Interim Wildlife Report: 15, Iqaluit, 14 pp. Project Number 2-06-08 The Distribution and Abundance of Peary caribou and Muskoxen Across the North Western High Arctic Islands, Nunavut Debbie Jenkins Wildlife Research Biologist Baffin Region Interim Report January 2008 Summary: As part of a multi-year research program, 7 high arctic islands, Lougheed, Ellef Ringnes, Amund Ringnes, King Christian, Cornwall, Meighen, and Axel Heiberg, Nunavut, were surveyed using conventional Distance Sampling line transect methods. This document reports on interim progress and provides maps of Peary caribou and muskox distribution. Data analysis, using program Distance 5.0, will provide density and abundance estimates for Peary caribou and muskoxen. Results are being finalized and will be detailed in a comprehensive Government of Nunavut Report. Acknowledgements: Funding for this study was provided by the Department of Environment, PCSP and the NWMB. Support and direction from the Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord HTOs has been invaluable. Much thanks to Grigor Hope, Mitch Campbell, Tom Kiguktak, John Innus, and Brian Dooley, for their dedication throughout our field program. Thanks to Tabitha Mullin for providing field equipment and advice. We are especially thankful to PCSP for all their equipment and logistical support, particularly, Mike Kristjanson and Barry Hough.
    [Show full text]
  • Page 1 of 2 SUBMISSION to the NUNAVUT WILDLIFE
    SUBMISSION TO THE NUNAVUT WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT BOARD FOR Information: Decision: X Issue: Downlisting of Peary Caribou from Endangered to Threatened. Background: In October 2016 the Committee on the Status of Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) provided a re‐ assessment of Peary Caribou to the federal Minister of the Environment. This begins the formal listing process under the federal Species at Risk Act. Peary Caribou, which are currently listed under the federal SARA as Endangered, have been re‐assessed by COSEWIC in a lower risk category as Threatened. A recovery strategy is required for both Endangered and Threatened species. If Peary Caribou are downlisted under the federal SARA, a recovery strategy will still be required and it will not affect the current recovery strategy development process currently underway for Peary Caribou GN - Morgan Anderson Community consultations on the proposed downlisting of Peary Caribou were held with hunters and trappers organizations (HTOs) and regional wildlife boards in the range of Peary Caribou between June and August 2017. Organizations were asked to provide their formal position on the proposed downlisting and with any other comments, concerns or information that they feel should be considered. Consultation packages, in Inuktitut and English, were sent by mail and email. They included: a letter, information on the assessment and a questionnaire/response form. Follow‐up calls to the HTOs and RWBs were made on September 27, 2017. Results of Consultation: Kitikmeot Regional Wildlife Board No response
    [Show full text]
  • An Aerial Abundance Estimate of the Dolphin and Union Caribou (Rangifer Tarandus Groenlandicus X Pearyi) Herd, Kitikmeot Region, Nunavut – Fall 2020
    An Aerial Abundance Estimate of the Dolphin and Union Caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus x pearyi) Herd, Kitikmeot Region, Nunavut – Fall 2020 Government of Nunavut Department of Environment GN Technical Report Series – No: 01-2021 Mitch Campbell Nunavut Department of Environment, Nunavut Wildlife Research Division, Arviat, NU John Ringrose Nunavut Department of Environment, Nunavut Wildlife Research Division, Pond Inlet, NU John Boulanger Integrated Ecological Research, Nelson, BC Amélie Roberto-Charron Nunavut Department of Environment, Nunavut Wildlife Research Division, Kugluktuk, NU Kevin Methuen Nunavut Department of Environment, Wildlife Management Division, Kugluktuk, NU Christopher Mutch Nunavut Department of Environment, Nunavut Wildlife Research Division, Pond Inlet, NU Tracy Davison Northwest Territories Department of Environment & Natural Resources, Wildlife Management, Inuvik, NT & Cheryl Wray Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., Wildlife Division, Iqaluit, NU 1st February 2021 1 GN Department of Environment Campbell et al., 2021 Dolphin & Union Caribou Abundance Survey October/November 2021 ABSTRACT Between October 22 and November 2, 2020, we estimated the abundance of Dolphin and Union (DU) caribou on their fall range on Victoria Island and the Kitikmeot mainland, near the Coronation Gulf, Bathurst Inlet, and Kent Peninsula. We opted to diverge from the previous costal survey methods (conducted in fall 1997, 2007, 2015, and 2018) for three main reasons. Firstly, local hunters from the communities of Kugluktuk, Cambridge Bay, and Ulukhaktok believed current estimates of abundance, and DU caribou telemetry locations, were not representative of observed changes in DU caribou seasonal range use and migratory behaviors in recent years. Communities also reported recent declines but requested a larger survey effort to ensure changes in caribou behavior were not invalidating the coastal survey method.
    [Show full text]