' NUNIVAK

NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Annual Report

1969

SPEC COLL NARR NUNWR 1969 Narrative Report

January 1, to December 31, 1969

Staff

Nunivak is administered by the staff of the Clarence Rhode National Wildlife Refuge with headquarters in Bethel, Alaska. The permanent staff ·is augmented as necessary by intermit�ent employment of local residents.

Permanent Personnel

Calvin J. Lensink •• • • • • • • • • • Refuge tl!anager Jerry L. Hout • • • • • • • • • • • • • Assistant rft.anager Virginia Hyatt • • • • • • • • • Clerk· James R. Geerdts • • • • • • • • • • • Maintenanceman

Temporary and Intermittent Personnel

Richard Davis • • • • • • • • • • • • • Laborer Uncle John • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Laborer

· Joe David • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Laborer Henry Weston • • • • • • • • • • • • • Laborer Henry Ivanoff • • • • • • • • • • • • • Laborer

This report is prepared for administrative use within the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. Because discussion is frequently based on fra.gJDentary or preliminary data, conclusions should not be quoted without permission of the Refuge Manager.

Department of the Interior Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife Fish and Wildlife Service Bethel, Alaska 99559 TABlE OF OONTENTS

INTRODUCTIOO 1 Summary of Activities 1 Habitat Conditions 1 Weather l wilDLIFE 3 Birds 4 Memna.l.s 4 I.enmings • 4 Furbearers 4

Marine Manmals • 4

Reindeer • � 4

Muskox • 6 Winter Range Surveys 6 Transplant 7

REFOOE IEVEWPftFNI' .12

FIElD INVESTIGATIONS .13

Wildlife Management Study No. 1 . 13

Wildlife Management Study No. 2 . 13

AN'IHIDPOWGICAL STUDI£'3 . 13

PU3LIC RELATICMS .14

VISITOOS .14

SAFI'EY .15

APPENDIX 1

Nunivak National Wildlife Refuge

Narrative Report

January 1, to December 31, 1969

INTRJDUC1'ION

Summary of Activities

The Nunivak National Wildlife Refuge is one of four satelite refuges administered by the staff of the Clarence Rhode National Wildlife Range. Although in past years programs on Nunivak have necessarily been treated as of secondary importance to those on Clarence Rhode, pressing problems of management, related chiefly to muskox, have caused a rapid expansion of activities.

During 1969 the program related primarily to evaluation of winter range conditions and to a transplant of muskox to the Arctic National / Wildlife Range. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game provided the major monetary and operational input to the latter project. In addition, studies of snow conditions, as they relate to winter range and the behavior of muskox, and a more general study of the behavior of muskox were initiated by Dr. Peter Lent, Assistant Leader Alaska Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, and his student, Dennis Knudson. The Refuge staff spent much time in planning for future transplants, and constructed a small holding corral for muskox which, it is hoped, will remove a major bottleneck encountered in previous transplant operations.

Other duties and status of funds combined to cause the elimination of qoth winter and summer·censuses of muskox in 1969.

Habitat Conditions

Weather

Habitat conditions are related directly to local weather patterns, which may fluctuate sharply from one year to the next. Weather during November, December, and perhaps January, is most critical for the muskox and reindeer. Deep snow or severe icing conditions that may occur during these months reduce the availability of forage, and animals may have to survive long periods with inadequate food. The development of conditions which limit foraging become less critical �s winter advances. During r�ch, weather usually becomes less severe. In late springs, however, there may be insignificant melting of snow through April. Table l. Temperatures and Pre?ipitati�n Patterns at ��koryuk, Winter, 1968-69.

Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. ·rmch April

Ternperatures

Average maximum 30.8 16.2 22.6 · 18.4 23.9 30 . 4 Average miru..rnum 5.0 11.5 8.4 10.7 21.4 Mean 26.6 10.6 17.1 13.4 17.3 25.9 Days maximum 32° or above 13 5 8 6 7 18 Days minimum 32° or above 2 l l 0 0 l

Precipitation

Days 32° or above/prec. 6 3 7 4 6 7 Days 31° or below/prec. 10 4 ll 4 10 5 Total days/prec.· 16 7 18 8 16 10 As rain and/or wet snow l .38 .32 .73 .37 .62 .29

As dry snow .61 .29 .51 • 25 .33 .08 Total .99 .61 1.24 .62 .95 • 37 Departure from normal ' ...:.35 -.41 +.40 -1.28 -.22 -.33

-- l Estimate based on assumption that all precipitation on days with temperatures of 32°F, or above, fell as rain and/or wet snow conducive to formation of hard crust or ice, when followed by cooler temperatures. 3

During the winter of 1969, there was moderate snowfall in November, but only very light fall in December and in early January (Table 1). 'Prom January 13 to 22, snow fell almost daily. Between January 24 and 30, a wann spell produced maximum daily temperatures ranging from 32° to 36°F. The heaviest precipitation of the winter occurred during this warm period, when a water equivalent of .73 inches fell as rain and/or wet snow. We believe that most of the thick ice layer observed at the bottom of test pits on ridge tops and edges of cliffs. during February surveys.. was formed during this period. This conclusion is supported by residents of riTekoryuk who report that until mid-January there was not a significant accumulation of snow in lowland portions of the island. Precipitation in both February and March was below normal, but much of the precipitation of both months may have contributed to the ice lenses observed in test pits. Tempera­ tures averaged much higher during April than in previous months; most precipitation fell as rain, and many areas became bare of snow.

Foraging conditions for muskox and reindeer were probably favorable until mid-January, but deteriorated at the end of the month because of the extensive icing. Conditions did not become appreciably worse until mid-February, and were probably not critical for muskox until March, although the generally poor condition of reindeer in late February and early March suggested that deer were not obtaining adequate food. A relatively early spring may have prevented significant losses to the reindeer herd, but muskox appeared to be in adequate physical condition during March to have survived a normal spring without serious consequence.

WILDLIFE

Most observations of wildlife are obtained as an incidental product of activities concerned with muskox. lienee, information on most species does not permit evaluation of annual fluctuations in status.

Open seasons on ptarmigan, waterfowl, furbearers, and marine mammals are established in accordance with regulations of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Seasons and bag limits do not vary appreciably from year to year (see Annual Report for 1968, and also Clarence Rhode Annual Report for 1969).

The Department of Interior has not permitted hunting of muskox, the only b.ig game species, although hunting was authorized by the State. Control of herd size (it is considered too large) was effected partially, if not entirely, by natural mortality and transplants. More important, transplants in 1968 were the first large scale attempt to move animals to their original range on the Arctic Slope, which was the primary objective in developing a protected herd on Nunivak. 4

Birds

Few significant or unusual observations of birds were made in 1969, as activities were mostly confined to winter months. Snow and McKay's buntings were common in February and March. McKay's buntings were the most abundant of.the two species until early April, but between April 5· and 11, the relative balance of the.two species changed rapidly- a larger number of snow buntings (which nest on Nunivak) coinciding with a decrease of McK�y's (which nest only on St. Matthew and Hall Islands of the Bering Sea Refuge). The chan�s in population coincide exactly with the disappearance of both species at Bethel, where neither nests. McKay's buntings had returned by October 25, when both species were again common.

Five harlequins were observed in leads on the south shore on ��rch 31, and both king eiders and murres were common in leads ori the north side of the island on April 10. All species may have been present earlier. \ Migrant brant and geese were reported to be abundant during the fall. Two flocks of snow geese were observed on October 19, the latest that we've seen them. Eiders (spectacled and common?) and common scoters were abun­ dant along the shoreline between October 25, and November 10. During this same period, glaucous gulls of all ages were common, ravens were seen on several occasions - once, in a group of six. A gyrfalcon was observed patrolling the beach on several occasions, but it could not be determined whether more than one was present at the location we watched.

Mammals

Lemmings

Brown lemmings (Lemus trimucronatus) were extremely plentiful during . the late summer and fall - an obvious high in population for this cycling species. The lemming is considered to be a distinct .subspecies (L.t. - harroldi).

F'urbearers

Both red and arctic foxes were abundant in the winters of 1968-69 and 1969-70. Prices of fox pelts have increased significantly in recent years, particularly for reds, which formerly were worthless. A few mink were taken, but are not particularly plentiful, nor do they bring as high a price as those from adjacent regions of the mainland.

Marine mamnals

No obvious changes in abundance were observed among marine mammals (harbor, ringed and ribbon seals, and walrus) which provide one of the more irrportant segrrents of the economy.

Reindeer

Although reindeer are classed and handled as domestic animals, they are conspecific with wild caribou which they replaced, and are free 5

Table 2. Reindeer Populations and Harvests, 1965-1969.

Population Number Probable Year Estimate 1 Butchered Winter Loss

1965 15,000 2 2,554 light

1Q66 1,714 light

1967 2,058 light

1968 10,000 3 1,850 moderate

1969 2,235

1 Censuses are in July, prior to butchering.

2 Population estimate in 1965 based on aerial estimates and photo counts.

3 Population estimate based on count of 9,177 in photos believed to include all major herds.

' 6

ranging and essentially wild in behavior. Our present knowledge of their status is limited, as our best estimate of numbers is based on aerial photos of herds encountered during muskox censuses in July 1968. At that time, at least 10,000 were present. Annual harvests since then (1968-1969) plus some winter mortality, particularly in 1969, �ppear to have prevented any increase, and may have resulted in some reduction of herd size (Table 2). Many residents are convinced the latter situation is correct, and we are inclined to accept this conclusion Until we have better data. As the range has been abused by an excessive population in past years, a reduction in number would be desirable.

Muskox

Censuses of muskox were not conducted in 1969 and we are uncertain of the exact status or structure of the population at present. r�neral observation suggested that productivity and mortality were similar to recent years. The combination of natural mortality, transplants, and transplant mortality probably held the herd to a near stable level - . presumably, about 750. In addition to 52 animals transplanted and 13 deaths in transplant operations, at least seven animals died from natural causes during the winter of.l969-70. These included a subadult female of unknown cause, an adult male that fell from a low ledge into the sea and drowned, and two animals of unknown sex and age that drifted to sea. on an ice pan in early spring. An adult male met an unusual fate when it entangled in a fish net and eventually starved. Skulls of an adult male and an adult female were found in dune areas near Duchikthluk. Two additional animals, an adult male found in the Nunathloogagamiutbingoi Dunes, and an animal. ·of unknown age and sex found near Muskox Mountain, died in the fall or early winter of 1969. Cause of these deaths is un­ known. The number of natural deaths recorded is low because of incomplete winter surveys and the cancellation of summer surveys. Further, censuses indicate that in all recent years a number of moribund animals are not found. r�st of these unrecorded deaths are believed to result from losses on the sea ice. [�vs���

The two animalsAthat were observed carried to sea in the spring of 1969 were reported by several residents of Mekoryuk. Long regard for regulations against shooting of muskox prevented any observer from destroying the animals to prevent their inevitable death by starvation. After consulting with State authorities by telephone, letters were sent to the village council and to several responsible individuals, advising that if muskox were observed on the ice, they should be shot and, if possible, skinned, and the skull, hide, and meat salvaged. Meat was to be distributed in the village and the skull and skin sent to Refuge headquarters. Persons shooting the animal would be paid for their effort at standard hourly wage rates. We suspect that in some regions this might be considered carte blanche for poaching. We have full confidence that, \ on Nunivak, the understanding will not be violated. Winter Range Surveys. Because of the many "people" factors in- velved in the management of muskox, the Bureau requested Dr. John S. Tener,. now director, Canadian Wildlife Service, to make an on-ground evaluation · of winter range. A preliminary survey of sumner range by Dr. Tener was described in our 1968 Annual Report. 7

In late February and March 1969, Dr. Tener was able to examine winter range on Nuni vak and also on potential transplant sites on the Arctic National Wildlife Range. Dr. Tener and Dave Marshall, Regional Refuge Biologist, traveled by commercial airline to Barter Island on the Arctic Range and joined Lensink, Refuge Manager Thayer, and Robert Pep;au, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, who had reached Barter the previous day in a Beaver. During February, flights were made in the vicinity of Barter and landings were made at several locations so that on-ground checks could be made of vegetation and the characteristics and depth of the snow cover. There appeared to be adequate food available and icing conditions, such as are common at Nunivak, were not observed. Precipi­ tation during the winter was near normal, so observations were probably indicative of conditions in most years.

Tener, Marshall, Lensink and Thayer departed Barter Island in the Beaver, February 27; passing over or winding through the spectacular mountains of the Arctic National Wildlife Range, and reached Fairbanks in sufficient time to get a commercial flight to Anchorage.

Nunlvak was reached on March 4, where a ·snow machine safari was organized by Tener, rmshall, and Lensink, with Joe David of Mekoryuk as guide. Weather conditions prevented travel until �'larch 8. Travel was possible each day thereafter until the trip was completed on March 11, although, at times, snow, fog, and white-out conditions made orien­ tation difficult. Temperatures ranged from 10° to 38°F. Overnight camps were made in tents or in barabaras, at locations indicated on· route of the survey shown in Figure 1. Normal winter surveys include the entire coastline as well as inland hills known to be used by muskox. . Althougp the present survey did not provide this extensive coverage, it included examples of all habitat tyPes.

Conclusions from the Nunivak survey are described fully in Dr. Tener's report to Director Gottschalk, which is appended, so are not summarized here.

Transplant. A transplant of muskoxen from Nunivak to the Arctic vJildlife Range initiated the final phase in accomplishing objectives set by Congress 40 years earlier when muskox were moved to Nunivak - namely, to re-establish muskox in their historic range on the Arctic Slope of Alaska. Although the Bureau contributed significantly to the transplant operation, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game provided the major financing and direction. We considered the transplant a sucess although, at every step, the operation met frustration.and problems which included countermanding of directions and agreements, interference by politicians, difficult weather conditions, drifted runways, inoperable snow removal equipment, difficulty in coordinating flights of National Guard transport aircraft with the occasional periods in which the airfield could be opened, and inadequate facilities. All of these resulted in higher costs.

Field operations commenced on �arch 9, and terminated on April 14, when the last load of animals was shipped from Bethel to Barter Island. Larry Jennings was project leader for the Alaska Department of .Fish and Game, Assistant Refuge Manager Jerry Hout served as assistant project leader. Biologists Mel·Bucholtz and Scott Grundy, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, acted as escorts on flights to Barter, Rae Baxter, Alaska -­ R96W R95W /' ...., -. "" .

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UHITlO STATU Oli"A.. TMUIT 0# Tl4[ INTEitl0" U. $. ,ISH AND WILOLIH SlltVIC( IUII!lAU 0' SI"O"T FISH[IUES AJII$0 WllDLif[ NUNIYAK ISLAND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SEWARD MERIDIAN + + Stolt 0 ' l ' tO '' ..... u COitTOUif lltTf�IML 100rctr DATI/Ill 1$ AN Ill£ SEA l..CY(L

lit ALA 111 404

1. Figure Route of range survey in 1969. Camps are designated by number sign (#) and snow test pits by dots (•). Snow characteristics along the coast could be examined without digging of test pits. 9

Department of Fish and Game, and Refuge Manager Lensink assisted with communications, liason, and logistics at Bethel. Robert Dunbar, pilot for Merrie Inc., flew the chartered helicopter used in capturing subadult and adult animals. Nearly every man in Mekoryuk, able and willing to work, was employed for varying ·periods during the transplant� Rex rl!athlaw and Joe David both served excellently in the capacity of straw bosses of field crews.

Procedures followed were similar to those developed in previous years. Major differences included the capture, without drugging, of all yearlings (10-12 rronths) and some subadults (22-24 rronths) by Eskimos operating from snow machines, and the transport of all animals by sled to the airstrip at JV'ekoryuk. All older animals were captured by means of drugs, Sernylan or Succinolcholine, injected by means of darts fired from the helicopter.

A total of 71 animals were handled - actually the equivalent of 77 - as six yearlings were released and subsequently recaptured. A total of 52 animals were moved to Darter Island. Eight were released on Nunivak, and 13 died there as a result of capturing operations. After arrival at Barter Island, an additional 14 animals are known to have died. Skins and skulls from all animals that died on Nunivak were salvaged for use. in meeting requests for specimens from various museums, hence these animals did not constitute an important loss, except to the.ego of the · biologists.

Drugs used for capturing of subadult and adult animals were the primary cause for losses, although other factors may have contributed to the ill effects of the drug. Three adult bulls and an adult female were given double doses of Sernylan and died the next day, and another female died within 10 minutes of injection. Death is attributed to the excess dosage. A subadult male, given an injection of 100 mg. Sernylan, a subadult female given 60 �., and a yearling given 50 mg. were drugged successfully and were in good condition the next day. .Factors which may have contributed to the deaths included harassment resulting in violent activity before and after injection, and the tranSport of the drugged animals by lashing them on their sides to a flat wooden sled.

Two adult males given 100 mg. Succinolcholine chloride, and three adult females (two of 35 months) given 80 and 60 mg. succinolcholine respectively, died within 20 minutes after injection. Drugs appeared to be the direct cause of death, although pre- and post-injection harassment and activity may have been a contributing factor. A total of 23 animals were drugged successfully with Succinolcholine. These included one adult male, 10 subadult males (23-35 months), 11 subadult females, and one yearling male. All were injected with 60 mg. of drug, except one subadult male given 80 mg., and one adult male given 100 mg.

Conclusions as to the effect of the two drugs are not entirely clear at this stage. The only . three animals given what were considered to be appropriate dosages of Sernylan survived, and it appears that this drug should be tested further. Use of Succinolcholine was successful on all but two animals injected whose age did not exceed 35 months. Three older animals given equivalent dosages died. Deaths appeared to be related to age. As all dea,ths from use of Semylan were of older animals it is 10

possible that these were partly attributable to age, although excessive dosa� appears the most probable cause of death. The age factor may be related among females to the fact that all which died were in late stages of pregnancy, and their general condition may have been poorer than that of other animals. The weights of bulls that died varied from 412 to 619 pounds, and the relative condition of some may have contributed to ill effects of the drug. In addition, the smaller animals would have received larmer doses per body weight.

Only two animals died as a result of capture or attempted capture without drugs; a subadult female was inadvertantly strangled, and a calf was crowded over a precipice by other animals and fell to its death.

It was impossible to follow the transplant animals closely after their departure from Nunivak, and information relative to their survival is fragmentary. A survey by Averill Thayer, Dr. Peter Lent, and Mr. Leslie Pengelly, University of Alaska I€partment of Wildlife r1:l.nagement, between April 18 and 22, accounted for seven dead animals and 21 still alive. Twenty-four animals were missing, although tracks leading toward the moun­ tains indicated survival of other animals. A survey by Dennis_Knudson, between September 4.and 11, encountered 17 animals still alive. Three yearling males, not encountered by Thayer, apparently died south.of Barter soon after their release. Three animals traveled 150 miles into Canada and one to Arctic Village and were shot by Eskimos. The various reports and records now available indicate survival of 17, and the death of 14 animals. We do not know the fate of 19 animals, but most may survive. Considering the large area in. which animals have been located, it is not surprising that more were not found. Conversely, the distribution of . animals that died was confined to a relatively small area and probably, most deaths were recorded. Further, there is no reason to doubt the survival of the 21 animals, plus some others, identified by tracks, that were recorded on the April survey.

Animals which survived the transplant scattered over a wide area with sightings 30 miles· west, over 100 miles south, and 150 miles east of the release site. Animals known to have moved farthest were all adults. In contrast, 23 yearlings released in two different years on Nelson Island have all remained within 20 miles of the release site. Further, although animals were released in two different locations and in some instances, only one or two together� at least 19 have congregated into a single herd. Comparison of Nelson Island and Arctic transplants suggests that'scattering in the Arctic resulted from the inclusion of older animals, perhaps because they \'lere strongly attached to home ranges or particular patterns of moverrent, and had more difficulty adjusting to a new environment than younger animals.

Death of 10 animals transported to Barter Island occurred before or soon after release, as summarized.

3 adult females Died in crates during transport or before release. All were pregnant.

1 yearling male Strangled with rope during release. ll

2 adult males Died on sea ice north of Barter.

l adult male Died on beach six miles east of Barter.

3 yearlings, l female, 2 males Died a few miles south of Barter.

Nine of these deaths may be directly related to events or circum­ stances of capture and transport; the three females which died before release, most obviously. Cause of death may be related to latent effect of the drug Succinolcholine, as five pregnant females died almost immediately after immobilization. However, additional factors not similar to those deaths include, transport on sleds over rough terrain, confine­ ment in crates for an unknown period (between 3 and ll days) and, if held for long on Nunivak, an inadequate supply of food. All these factors, added to pregnancy, would contribute to a highly traumatic experience. Cause of death of three adult males, except, of course, for the trauma of pregnancy,· were subject to a similar experience. As in cause of females, the older males were most susceptible to deleterious effects of Succinol­ choline.

The circumstances resulting in the death of three yearlings is different. The animals were not drugged nor were they confined for a long period in crates. However, conditions under which they were confined in a barn were far from favorable, and permitted them to become wet and .soiled with resulting loss of insulation by their wool. Confinement may have extended (for three animals) to 21 days, plus the time in transport. _Food intake was probably seriously inadequate during this period. Transport on sleds was probably not a significant factor for the animals that were not drugged, as witnessed by the evident lack of injury, or apparent ill health of animals held for an extended period. Autopsies of the three yearlings by Kenneth I�eiland, Alaska Department of Pish and Game, revealed that two were very immaciated and the third had very little subcutaneous fat. Lungs of one male had a small carnitized pneumatic area but cause of death was indeterminate. Lungs of another male showed an almost com­ plete emphysematous state, possibly a post mortem change, but death was possibly from a respiratory disorder. Lungs of the third yearling, a female, showed indications of advanced lobar pneumonia, which probably caused its death. The-symptoms were analogous to the shipping fever syndrome of domestic ruminants, and were probably related to the conditions of confinement •

Death of animals at Barter Isla nd,.after all expenses had been in­ curred, greatly increased the relative cost of survivors.· rlence, every effort should be made to avoid such losses. Procedures which now seem undesirable and possibilities of their improvement are summarized as follows.

1. Adult animals were deleteriously affected by Succinolcholine at , the time of injection, and probably by latent effects after transplant. Use of this drug should be avoided, .at least on older animals. Sernylan · should be tested further.

2. Scattering of animals at the release site may cause loss by predation and starvation, or may result in reproductive failure in subsequent years. 12

·Use of younger aged animals in transplants appears to circumvent this deleterious behavior. Holding of animals at release site for post transport check, and for release in a calm condition may also be helpful.

3. Ill health which results from inadequate pre-transplant care can be mitigated by better holding facilities (already available) and a careful watch on diet.

4. Tr aumatic effects of capture and transport can be corrected by more careful monitoring of field crews. Excessive activity of animals before and after injection may be avoided by ground based gunners and crew. Trans­ port can be improved by slower travel, padding of sleds, and possibly by use of blinders on animals. Crating of animals before their transport on sleds should be attempted, particularly if animals have been immobilized.

REFUGE DEVELOPMENT

Fbr the second year, small but important improvements of facilities were possible. In 1968 we reported the construction of a barn which was the first facility constructed since establishment of the Refuge in 1929. This year we were able to construct a corral of chain-link fencing to facilitate holding of muskox during the transplant programs. Housing facilities are urgently required for a field headquarters at Mekoryuk, and smaller cabins are even more urgently required at strategic locations about the island to increase the safety and efficiency of field crews. Present working conditions present hazards to field crews which border on gross negligence.

The·corral is expected to remove a major obstacle. in transplants as, without holding facilities and given the undependability of air transporta­ tion, it has been necessary in past years to release animals to avoid serious impairment to their. health. The construction of a 1/4 acre corral is not a particular problem in most areas. Not so on Nunivak. As in the case of the barn, the authorization for construction was received in late fall, with freezing conditions overdue. Because of the non-existent lead time, materials had to be purchased in Anchorage and shipped by air. A C-82 was chartered that could carry 12,000 pounds of cargo. Our fencing weighed a little more than 7000 pounds, so the load was grossed out with 5000 pounds of baled hay, thus utilizing the full weight allowance, and filling the fuselage from end to end, side to side, and top to bottom. The Bureau of Narcotics didn't learn about all that grass.

Construction of the corTal was started by Lensink on October 25, with Richard Davis and Uncle John, Eskimo residents of Mekoryuk, as assistants. Setting of posts \'Tas completed on the 27th. That night the temperature dropped and by the next morning the ground was frozen to a depth of several inches. Freezing temperatures, with winds to as much as 35 knots, continued until construction \.1as completed on November 5. 13

FIELD INVESTIGATIONS

Fauna Survey

Wildlife Management Study No. 1

This study was inactive during the year except for the casual observations. recorded during other projects and reported in the'section on wildlife. No expansion of work is planned for 1970.·

Muskox, Reindeer, and their Range in Winter

Wildlife Management Study No. 2

The major objective of this study is to determine and describe the winter ecology and.behavior of muskox with particular reference to the effects of snow cover characteristics on the use of range. The stu�y is part of a more complete investigation on muskox that includes work on Nelson Island, the Arctic Wildlife Ran0e, and perhaps other transplant sites, and which also includes a,study of social behavior.

The study, as described above, is being conducted by Dr. Peter Lent and Dennis Knudson. Financing of the project is primarily from sources other than the Bureau. Refuge responsibility and funding is limited to furnishing certain equipment and supplies on hand at Nunivak, and a local resident as guide and field assistant, as required.

In addition to, and separate from, the study conducted by Dr. Lent, the Refuee Staff will map patterns of snow depth and distribution to delineate areas available as winter range for both muskox and reindeer · under varying precipitation patterns..

Winter field work by Lent was started in February when snow transects �ere established in the representat�ve winter habitats. Lent and Knudson extended this preliminary work during July ·by analysis of vegetation on . the transect routes. Results of Lent's studies will be summarized in quarterly reports of the Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, University of Alaska.

ANTHROPOLOGICAL STUDIES

A study of the prehistory of Nunivak Island initiated in 1967, was

conti nued by Dr. Michael Nowak, Department of Anthropology, Colorado ·

. College. The study is completely independent of any Refuge financing 14

or contribution, but is, nevertheless, of considerable interest. Mr. Nowak was assisted by his wife, Lynda, and students, Charles Lackey and Marilyn Brown.

Work in 1969 was confined to three sites on the Mekoryuk River and to one site on Cape Etolin, all near the present village of Mekoryuk. Radio carbon analysis of material excavated from the oldest site indicated occupancy dates of 1925 + 95 B.P. and 2100 + 95 B.P. Other sites indi­ cated occupancy dates of-3l0 � 95 B.P. and b70 � 95 B.P.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Relations between the Bureau and residents of MekorYuk are probably at an all time high and are still on the way up. The aura of good will is created largely by $$$ acquired by residents during transplant opera­ tions, and through the close contact and exchange of views with Bureau and State personnel during transplants and other field activities.

At the start of the transplant in March, residents of Mekoryuk, except for those few with which we had had most contact, were reluctant to work because of the rumor that we intended to remove all muskox from Nunivak. A two hour meeting was held with the village council and other residents during which Hout and Jennings resolved all problems. DUring the next mohth neariy all employable men in the village were used on the transp�ant, thus providing a major source of income to the village resi­ dents who had never previously experienced such a bonanza during winter · months.

To avoid the initiation of rumors concerning transplants planned for 1970, Lensink met again with the people in November. Plans for the transplant were discussed in detail, with embhasis on the importance of local residents to the operation and vice versa.

Other activities of the· Refume which provided income to village residents included the construction projects described previously, winter surveys and censuse.s, and the studies conducted by Dr. Lent.

In addition to the informal P.R. program, the Bureau movie, "So Little Time", was shown to school children and to the entire. village by Hout.

VISITORS

Visitors to Nunivak are seldom concerned directly with the Refuge or the Refuge program - rather, they are concerned with persons in the village of Mekoryuk, the reindeer, or various other goverrunent programs. 15

Visitors interested primarily in wildlife, who were not mentioned previously in this report include the following.

Amos Berg, photographer for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, was on hand to take movies of the 1969 muskox transplant. Amos is an old t1mer on Nunivak, having spent several weeks there in the early 1940s making movies of village life. Many photographs and an account of the earlier visit were published in the National Geographic magazine.

Gordon Per.rY, Pierre d'Hoste, and Hank Schloss, Cangary Films of Los Angeles, visited Nunivak in April to· obtain movies of muskox that · will be used in a film produced by Disney Studios.

Kojo Tanaka, a free-lance wildlife photographer and writer (an excellent one) fran Tokyo, Japan, obtained pictures of wildlife during late September.

Robert (Bob) Steven.s, 'a captciin :with West�rn Airlines has visited. the island on several occasions, this year arriv1ng 1n. March to observe the transplant. One of Steven's photographs, showing muskox yearlings that were held in the barn, was published in the Alaska Magazine.

Item. on Safety

Surveys, censuses, and other winter activities, but particularly the transplant operations, contain many elements of extreme risk. Oper­ ators of snow machines are always subject to injury, but travel under conditions of poor visibility and over rough terrain compound the risk. Using the machine like a bronco, �d manhandling of wild muskox by field crews, puts the probabtlity of. injury on a logarithmic scale.. Field crews operate up to 50 miles from communication facilities, and in case of injury may be isolated without adequate shelter for long periods by storms which prevent travel. Ev.en if an injured person is able to reach JV!ekoryuk, air evacuation is necessary, but again, may not be possible because of weather.

Case histories of "incidents" during the 1969 transplants serve as illustrations.

1. While enroute to Mekoryuk, Robert Dunbar, flying alone in the helicopter, encountered a white-out. He was fortunate in landing without damage to himself or the aircraft. Although Dunbar was forced to remain in the helicopter overnight, there was no serious consequence of this. forced landing. In colder weather, or with prolongation of the white-out conditions·, than existed, Dunbar may have encountered serious problems, as he was not well equipped with survival gear.

2. While traveling on a snow machine during conditions of marginal visibility, Hout plunged off a high bank. He was followed over by his sled, then Peter Lent on his machine and, finally, by Lent's sled. In reviewing the circumstances, it seems almost impossible that Hout, or even Lent, were not run down in the tangle of machines and sleds, in which 16

case, serious injury or death may have resulted. Actual injuries were limited to severe bruises sustained by Hout when he was thrown from his machine as it landed.

3. A ski came off a snow machine operated by Henry Ivanoff who was towing a loaded sled down a long incline. Loss of the ski caused the machine to o'verturn. Ivanoff was thrown in front of the sled which struck his temple and knocked him unconcious. He was transported to rl!ekoryuk in a semiconcious state (he has no memory of the trip) by the rest of the crew, and from Mekoryuk was evacuated to Bethel by air. Several stitches were required te mend a lacerated scalp, but no other injury was apparent then or later, and recovery was essentially complete the following day.

4� In an almost identical incident, Richard Davis was run down by a loaded sled and struck in the chest. Pain was severe and he was trans­ ported on a sled to Mekoryuk, and thence to Bethel by air. Examination at the Bethel hospital revealed severe muscle bruises and two broken ribs, which required hospital care for a week, and caused considerable discomfort

· for much longer.

All of the above accidents could have been much more serious. The Refuge takes no comfort in the fact that "time loss" injuries happened to State employees and did not spoil the station's safety record. Closer supervision of temporary employees, prescribed safety procedures, and other similar precautions may be taken to prevent similar accidents. It is not likely, however, that serious accidents will be eliminated. Until better fa cilities for care of field ·crews are available, we can only hope that injuries do not occur in qircumstances which make travel and rapid evacuation difficult or impossible.

\ I .

XIGN3dd'f i·

NUNIVAK ISLAND MUSKOX STUDIES

J .S. TENER

At the request .of the Director, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, I undertook an assessment of the carrying capacity of the muskox range on Nunivak Island,·Alaska. The history of the introduction of muskoxen to . the Island and the record of the growth of the population there has been well documented and won't be repeated here • . There is no other wild popu­

lation of muskoxen anywhere· whose age and sex classes have been as well recorded.

The significant facts are that the species numbered, as of August, 1968, about 750 animals and that the calf crop was 14 per cent, down from the. long-term average of 19 per cent. Real concern has been expressed by those most familiar with the species and its habitat on Nunivak Island that the popula�ion may have exceeded the carrying capacity of its range, particularly in a hard winter.

I made two field trips to the Island, the first from August 16 to 21, 1968 and the second from March 4.to 12, 1969. The purpose of the first trip was to obtain some knowledge of plant species occurrence, distribution, and abundance, and muskox summer ecology. The·objective of the second trip was to examine the winter rangeJ to assess. snow depth, icing, forage availability, and muskox distribution.

Huskox food plants on Nunivak Island are rich in numbers of species and in density of plants. The area is truly lush. Important food species such as willow, sedge, grass and woody plant�, such as the Ericaceae, are abundant and didn't sh0\'1, on those summer ranges examined, evidence of overgrazing. Winter range sites examined in August such as the sides and · top of Twin Mountain and the dline areas along the south coast did show · significant grazing effects. Both areas exhibited erosion. On Twin 1\t)untain a heavily eroded game trail runs around the rim of the crater, and inside the crater rim heavy erosion has occurred where muskoxen, and probably reindeer also, have pawed to reach willows, birch, Empetrum and Vaccinium uliginosum. Lower ridges also were badly eroded.

Nunathloogagamiutbingoi dunes were examined on foot. rlluskox winter dung was very evident as were stubs of Elymus (beach rye). An aerial survey of the dunes on the previous day revealed noticeable differences in Elymus density between steep slopes that were thickly covered in green and those areas accessible to muskoxen which were yellower and had thinner densities of the grass. Also noticeable from the air were erosion and soil slippage. Parallel game trails were observed on the sides of the dunes. The limited extent of Elymus, the presence of a significant amount of dead Elymus stubble, and the erosion of the dunes indicate marginal winter range for the muskoxen. Elymus elsewhere has been reported to be rich nutritionally and undoubtedly is excellent muskox forage, provided it is available in sufficient quantity. ii

On r-Brch 10, 1969, the dunes south and west of Duckiktchluk Bay were tra­ versed by snow machine. Frequent stops \'l'ere made to examine snow depth, icing and availability of forage. In all, about eighty muskoxen were ob­ served feeding along those dunes. Heavy icing was observed on the dunes with deep snow surrounding them. Elymus, by 'that date, had already been grazed extensively.

Emoetrurn was present in inter-dune areas and had been st.tU ected to some . grazing. In one or two instances evidence of muskoxen pawing through snow and ice on the sides of the dunes was present but it appeared generally that the steepness of the slopes, the heavy ice crust and deep snow pre­ vented more general feeding. Under conditions observed during the study I gathered the strong impression that, important as dunes are to muskox winter ecology, under the snow and ice conditions experienced they pro­ vided marginal habitat for the species.

On August 17th, a traverse was made from Nash Harbour to Cape Algonquin. Vegetation growth on the hillsides and tops was lush. Nearer the Cape. characteristic winter range forage was present such as sedges, grasses, and some willow.

On March 8, 1969, a traverse was mad� by snow machine from Nash Harbour to near Lukluksuki vik Lake and then north to Kc:iweelik Bluff, west to mid­ point between Kigoumiut, the mouth of the Ahlik River, then east back along Koweelik Bluff to Nash Harbour. About 60 muskoxen were observed feeding along the coastal area. The animals had been feeding on crow­ berry, Ledum, sedges, grasses, blueberries and birch. Much icing was present�was not too thick to prevent feeding altogether. One could observe, however, where the muskoxen had pawed at the ice and could not break it. Snow depth in the areas where feeding was taking place �as about six inches. Inland the snow depth was eig�teen inches and more, with a thick ice crust about four inches above ground level. Provided co nditions did not deteriorate further, the area described above would appear to be adequate winter range. Additional snow and more ice would put the animals in a very precarious position, however.

Cape Mohican was examined from the air on August 18, 1968. That area is used extensively by muskoxen in winter and animals are present there aiso in the summe r. Sedges and grasses appeared to be the principal plant species but undoubtedly woody plants were present also. We attempted to ·examine the area on the ground on March 8, 1969, but a white-out made · · travelling impossible there.

A traverse was made of the Island from Nash Harbour to Binajoaksmiut R1ver on March 9th. Five craters were dug in the snow·to determine depths and other characteristics. The first hole was about five miles south of Nash Harbour. Snow depth was thirty-six inches with three· ice layers present. Vegetation consisting of Vaccinium uliginosum and Ledum was present at the bottom. The second and subsequent holes were dug in places whose precise locations are uncertain because of very poor visibility. The second and third holes each had a fifty-inch snow depth with ice layers. Bottoms of each contained muskox winter food. The fourth hole was twenty-two inches deep, and the fifth eighteen inches, with heavy-ice layers. iii

On March 11th a traverse was made from Duckikthluk Bay to Mekoryuk. Six holes were dug in the snow. About eight miles to the north of the Bay the first hole revealed a snow depth of thirty-one inches. Ice layers

were present and the snow was hard• . Dr. Peter Lent, of the University of Alaska, took some snow measurements. Emoetrum and sedges ,.,ere at the bottom. The second hole was dug on a plateau near r�ount Roberts to a depth of forty-four inches but the bottom had not been reached at that point. Again several heavy ice layers were present. The third hole vras dug east of fvbunt Roberts at the heighth of land between the north and south coast. Snow depth was only six inches but a two and one-half inch layer of hard ic e covered the vegetation on the ground. The ice un­ doubtedly was too hard for any ungulate to paw through. The fourth hole was dug just south of Muskox Mountain and revealed a forty-five-inch depth with heavy ice layers. One of the party went to the top of rl!uskox Mountain and discovered a layer of thick hard ice covered the ground and all vegetation. That mountain is periodically used by muskoxen in winter but it was obvious that such use \'lould have been :impossible at the time of our visit. The fifth hole was dug just opposite Muskox- Mountain and it revealed a snow depth of forty-nine inches. Two feet below the surface was a hard ice layer one inch thick. Other ice layers were further down. At the bottom Empetrum, willow and sedge were present.

Earlier reports by Eskimos of the absence of muskoxen from the Island's interior were confirmed by the April, 1968, survey and by our recent, less extensive study. The moderate to deep snow conditions and heavy layers of hard ice unquestionably prevent muskoxen from feeding in the interior of the Island. ·

Nunivak Island, in comparison with Canadian muskox winter ranges, supports a rich flora suitable as muskox food. It is in the comparison of winter range conditions, however, which reveals how marginal winter range on Nunivak Island is for. muskoxen.

No records of heavy icing on muskox winter ranges in Canada have yet been obtained. This is probably because of the continental Arctic climate of those ranges. Snow depth on Canadian ranges varies between ten and twenty inches. In such areas snow cover is often very shallow, frequently

less than one inch. In such cases plants· · are either exposed or just below the snow surface.

The periodic ice storms which strike Nunivak Islahd and the much heavier snow fa ll reduce the availability of the excellent forage to the point where, over.a very large proportion of the Island, food is simply not available to the muskoxen. It is imperative that the muskox population be brought into balance with the capability of the winter· ranges to support it.

Wild populations of muskoxen in Canada and Greenland are found in regions with cold dry climates. The �outhern limit of distribution on the east coast of Greenland is Scoresby Sound, an area that periodically experi­ ences deep snow and ice storms. Hundreds of muskox perished there during the winter of 1953-54 because of deep snow and ice. Such occurrences serve as a warning to what may be expected on Nunivak Island. iv

CONCLUSIONS

Sumne r range for muskoxen on Nuni vak Island appears excellent although there is sorre moderate grazing_on \'Tillows and birch. Winter range becomes extrerrely limited during times of deep snow and heavy ice.

Reduced calf crops in ungulate populations have been demonstrated to re­ flect deteriorating ranme conditions. Muskoxen are no exception and the lower calf crops on Nunivak Island are symptomatic of environmental stress.

The population of muskoxen has exceeded, in my view, the winter range carrying capacity for even an average winter and only disaster can result from an unusually hard winter. In saying this I am concurring completely . with the appraisal of the situation by Dr. C. J. Lensink and Mr'. David Spencer of the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife.

REOOMr>'ENDATIONS

1. It is recommended that the safe winter range carrying capacity for muskoxen be determined. To do this precise information is needed on precipitation, its seasonal distribution, nature - rain, sleet, or snow - depth of ice, periodic assessment of snow depth and temperature ranges. Also needed is specific information·about vegetation charac­ teristics of muskox winter ranges including chemical values of food plants and availability of the forage in winter. Given that informa- ·tion and given that an adult muskox needs approximately twenty pounds of air-dried forage per day, one can determine safe population levels.

2. Pending those studies, it is recommended that steps be taken immediately to ensure that the population of muskoxen on the Island not exceed 500 animals. An annual removal program to ensure that 'the figure is not exceeded each winter is recommended.

3. The sex and age classes to be maintained on the Island will depend on the objectives in keeping the ani�ls there. The present excess of males presents a management problem that must be resolved. It is recommended, therefore, that a decision be made about the primary ob­ jective in having the species on the Island, and given that, that a management plan be formulated to produce the desired numbers and classes of animals.

ACKNOWlEDGEMENTS

The assistance of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in under­ taking the study is gratefully acknowledged. The work would not have been possible without the provision of travel funds, transportation facilities, accommodation, and technical ·information so generously supplied by staff of the Service. It was a real pleasure to be associated with such dedicated and knowledgeable scientists. �� Submitted by : � Refuge M¥agei'

/� lf7t?J �<-"4· Date

�proved b y: �--����------�---­ Assoclate Refuge Supervisor

Refuge Supervisor Dr. Peter Lent, Alaska Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit , has ini­ tiated studies of the behavior of muskox and snow conditions on Nuni­ vak; a rather sudden shift from his recent studies in Africa.JLH

Snow hardness is measured with a special instrument at various points from the snow surface to the ground. Jut A cyclone fence corral was constructed in November in contemplation of additional transplants in 1970. Nearly all work on Nunivak requires the employment of residents who have proved skilfull in construction projects, as boatmen, guides, and as. rruskox catchers.cJ L

A small barn ( 16' x32' )· and the corral are the only Refuge facilities on Nunivak.cJL Crated muskox ready for delivery to the waiting plane. 3L�

A National Guard C-123 transported animals to Barter Island on the Arctic National Wildlife Range.I�� Dr. John Tener, Chief, Canadian Wildlife Service assist­ ed with range surveys conducted prior to the transplant.

Camp at Chakwakamiut was established in the lee of a dune to make the best possible situation out of below Q0 temperatureS and a 2Q knot wind. C¥L Barbed darts were recovered as soon as possible and invariably their extraction included a tuft of qiviut. ll�

All muskox were ear tagged for subsequent identifi­ cation. This chore was. best accomplished when the head was still firmly tied to the sled.�L� A young bull recovered from drugs before it could be reached by an Eskimo crew. Undaunted, they captured the animal with lassos. JLM

tiobbling this animal was a somewhat risky operation despite the restraining ropes.�Lw Muskox viewed from helicopter.JLH

State Biologist Larry Jennings encountered no diffi­ culty in using Cap-Chur gun from helicopter.JLH Downed muskox. Other animals were driven away with snow machines.:lt.H

Loading immobilized muskox on sled for transport to .JLH Mekoryuk • ZfU'{:q_unq MOUS