One is the porcupine herd and the other is the central arctic herd. The caribou rangifer tarandus is widely distributed on arctic tundras, mountains and boreal forests of eurasia and north america, including the arctic archipelago and the north coast of greenland. More than 200,000 caribou migrate annually through the refuge. In the 30 years of oil and gas exploration the arctic caribou have thrived. Migrating caribou on the arctic coastal plain, anwr. Helping fund research on barrenground caribou to monitor the population status of herds and understand the effects of industrial development on caribou and their habitat. Caribou migration why are some porcupine caribou herd calves born in canada or the mountains.
What the caribou taught me about being together, and apart. Choice of calving area depends on snow melt and early growth of forage plants. They traveled over a thousand miles to study the caribou to produce a film of their migration to the artic national wildlife refuge anwr. This set is included in the polar animal research booklet bundle here. They have separate calving grounds and share the same range in summer and fall. The herd has sustained alaskans for centuries and is managed today to ensure hunting opportunities for present and future generations. The anwr, home to a network of plains, waters and mountains, provides an environment unlike almost anywhere else. Recently added a caribou booklet if you are teaching about caribou instead of reindeer. Jul 17, 2017 in a state full of lifelist trips, theres still one dream that stands out above all others. The refuge is home to more than 200 species of birds, 42 species of fish, and 45 mammal speciesincluding more than 120,000 head of caribou.
Oct 11, 2018 great herds of caribou are a powerful symbol of the arctic, and camping amongst them is an experience of a lifetime. Aug 11, 2009 caribou migration which we experienced starting at 3. The porcupine herd though, despite having no contact with the industry has declined and rebound from 179,000 animals to about 100,000 animals and returned to 180,000 today. In the far north of alaska where the sun circles the sky in june and trees seem like a distant memory, lies the famed coastal plain of the arctic national wildlife refuge. Its also a lot more than that as most of us dont know what the current debate about drilling for oil and gas in the anwr is all. As it travels around, the porcupine caribou herd uses a lot of different habitats every. Drilling in arctic refuge could put north americas largest caribou herd at risk. Drilling in arctic refuge could put north americas.
On the northern edge of the continent where the brooks range nearly meets the arctic ocean, caribou amass in great herds at the end of june. Yet every spring they start their mind boggling spectacle of massmovement. The caribou migration in arctic canada natural world safaris. The arctic national wildlife refuge anwr covers 19 million acres 7. The porcupine caribou herd is large than their cousins the central arctic herd but both follow the same migration time lines and patterns. By july 2017, the porcupine herd had reached a record high of about. The anwr porcupine caribou herd is one of the largest caribou herds in. On one side are the militantly traditionalist gwichin7,000 people living in 15 settlements scattered along the caribou s migration route between northeastern alaska. Some new research published in canada is sounding alarms about porcupine caribou and the risks of drilling in arctic alaska. How canada could prevent drilling in the alaska national. Arctic national wildlife refuge anwr the porcupine caribou herd in winter snow on the tundra of anwr. Summer ecology of the porcupine caribou herd pdf report 2 ed.
As the federal government moves to industrialize alaskas arctic national wildlife refuge, one photography project explores how the oil drilling would impact the wildlife and indigenous communities whove long inhabited the land. Both the porcupine caribou herd and the central arctic herd, migrating west over the expansive coastal plain of the refuge. Caribou migration, hula hula river, anwr, alaska youtube. The western arctic caribou herd wah is one of the largest caribou herds in the world. When the people became differentiated into distinct cultural groups, it was agreed upon that the newly formed gwichin tribe would hunt the caribou. Apr 05, 2016 caribou used multiple migration routes each year, but some areas were used by caribou during all years, suggesting that these areas should be managed to allow for continued utilization by caribou. In years when theres deep snow on the winter range and along the migration routes, and when the spring snow melt is delayed by cold temperatures, caribou cows are delayed in reaching these preferred calving grounds. Caribou, like many large mammals, require huge tracts of relatively undisturbed land to thrive. Wildlife views on the anwr caribou issue since the beginning the issue of caribou and oil has been a highly emotional and often misrepresented topic with regard to alaskan north slope oil exploration. For migration, perhaps denali highway, if one isnt going into anwr or somewhere else in the far north. The porcupine caribou herd has been around much longer than the automobile or the insatiable human appetite for oil.
It is sometimes included in the subspecies called the barrenground caribou r. Oil and natural gas drilling in the calving grounds of the porcupine caribou herd is one step closer to being a reality. With luck, we will cross paths with the migrating porcupine caribou herd, numbering nearly 200,000 at last count. The caribou migration was in progress join us on a raft trip down the hula hula river in the arctic national wildlife refuge. In response to bush administration threats to open the arctic to oil drilling, a married team of wildlife biologists follow the porcupine caribou herd migration to the calving grounds on the coastal plain in the arctic national wildlife refuge in order to make a documentary. The arctic porcupine caribou has traversed the same migration path for the.
The arctic national wildlife refuge anwr is an oasis in the arctic plains of northern alaska, which is in constant danger of destruction by the threat of drilling for oil. Called americas serengeti for its tremendous biodiversity, the coastal plain of arctic national wildlife refuge on alaskas north slope is one of the most intact and untouched ecosystems in america. Caribou migration routes an environmental consulting firm in alaska is hired by a natural gas utility to produce a map of a proposed pipeline through a portion of northeast alaska in preparation for a public hearing a. Raft alaskas kongakut river in the arctic national wildlife. The last refuge caribou migration, drilling plan symbolic of battle between oil and environment zachary coile, chronicle staff writer. Arctic indigenous peoples and anwr in alaska there are many sources of arctic literature. Defending the porcupine herd, gwichin culture, and the arctic national wildlife refuge rick bass on. Dec 01, 2010 both the porcupine caribou herd and the central arctic herd, migrating west over the expansive coastal plain of the refuge. As of 2017, republicans have attempted to allow drilling in anwr almost fifty times, finally being successful with the passage of the tax cuts and jobs act of 2017. Our team headed into alaskas arctic national wildlife refuge, home of wolverines, grizzlies, snowy owls and a herd of 200,000 caribou. If the refuge is opened to oil and gas development, how will those goals be met. A satellite collar can send a signal in the dark of night and even in the middle of a blizzard.
Caribou migration backpacking trip arctic backpacking in anwr. Feb 09, 2020 i think in the other thread the request was for caribou migration. Hit the river and see some of the best wildlife alaska has to offer. Sensitive habitats of the porcupine caribou herd booklet. In northern alaska, the central arctic herd cah of barrenground caribou rangifer tarandus granti is known to migrate over large distances, but. Therefore, the overall pollutants from oil exploration have negative impacts on both the habitat and migration of wildlife in the anwr 1002 area. To put this in perspective, that is roughly the size of california.
Threat to tribe, caribou is averted for now truthdig. Caribou are large mammals that live in arctic and subarctic regions all around the world. The last refuge caribou migration, drilling plan symbolic. James henry river journeys offers wilderness whitewater rafting, hiking and wildlife viewing adventure trips on the kongakut river in the arctic national wildlife refuge. It is the largest national wildlife refuge in the country, slightly larger than the yukon delta national wildlife refuge. The borough works with the tribes, cities, corporations, schools, and businesses to support a strong culture, encourage families and employees to choose a healthy lifestyle, and sustain a vibrant economy. The arctic national wildlife refuge anwr is a whole lot more than just a flat wasteland as the oil companies claim it is. Truth about anwr and the gwichin center for individual. Impacts of oil drilling in the arctic national wildlife refuge. The nelchina caribou herd roams the high basin surrounded by the. The flyleaf of the book says that it is an adventure narrative and it is. Central arctic caribou herd as its name suggests, the central arctic caribou herd roams the central region of northern alaska. Arctic national wildlife refuge caribou stock photos.
Caribou migration backpacking trip arctic backpacking in. Simply print back to back, fold into a booklet, and staple. The anwr porcupine caribou herd is one of the largest caribou herds in the world, with approximately 197,000 members u. In some years, the porcupine herd calves only in canada. Now, a federal proposal to open the arctic lands on which these caribou calve to oil and gas drilling threatens the gwichins primary food source and their way of life. The arctic national wildlife refuge anwr or arctic refuge is a national wildlife refuge in northeastern alaska, united states. This summer we will hike from the edge of the mountains across the flower covered coastal plain and out to the arctic ocean crossing 30 miles of some of the wildest and most remote land in america. They start out their journey as any young and adventurous couple would with a confidence and zeal out of scale to the immensity of their undertaking. The question of whether to drill for oil in the arctic national wildlife refuge anwr has been an ongoing political controversy in the united states since 1977. In 2019, the herd size was 218,000 compared 100,000 in the early 1970s. They depend on the caribou for most of their food, clothing and survival. In spring the porcupine caribou herd migrates hundreds of miles from winter ranges located south of the brooks range in alaska, and from areas in yukon territory, to its traditional calving grounds on the arctic refuges coastal plain and foothills. Charlene fisher of the athabasca tribal council speaks during a protest supporting the arctic national wildlife refuge outside the u. Migrating caribou on the arctic coastal plain, anwr, alaska.
Reindeer research booklet by inspired owls corner tpt. Being caribou is a compelling film by a husband and wife of their fivemonth, mile, trek from the central yukon to coastal alaska and back as they follow the porcupine caribou herd. Over the past week, as each thread of our ordinary existence unravels and travel feels like something we used to do, ive been holding tight to a single mental image. Thats why sisto traveled all the way to new york city this week to ask major banks to withhold funding for projects seeking to develop the coastal plain of the arctic national wildlife refuge anwr. Barren ground caribou rangifer tarandus granti are found throughout the arctic. The refuge is administered from offices in fairbanks. The porcupine caribou herd migration has become iconic for the arctic national wildlife refuge. Testifying on behalf of wildlife nature writers defend. In 1995, 92% of the porcupine caribou herd used this area to calve. Please drive with caution in the caribou corridor between hinton and grande cache and please report your sightings. Dec 05, 2018 this page contains caribou facts and information, and is part of our arctic series. Aug 28, 2005 the last refuge caribou migration, drilling plan symbolic of battle between oil and environment zachary coile, chronicle staff writer published 4.
Alaska natives call on banks to protect the arctic. When this happens, the calves are born along the migration routes and on calving habitats in canada. I borrowed this book in a stack of books about alaska from a friend who is a writer and. In fact the porcupine caribou was around for the last two major glaciations and once grazed beside mastadons, woolly mammoths, and tried to avoid the sabretooth cat. The north slope borough is committed to having healthy communities, economically, spiritually and culturally.
The porcupine herd migrates between its calving grounds on yukon and alaskas north slope. Guided by local guides, watch as they track and follow the caribou for the best photography opportunities. Why is this an issue to the porcupine caribou herd. Commercial airlines service arctic village, kaktovik, fort yukon, and dead horse, which are jumping off points for most anwr trips. Caribou use of the 1002 area of anwr varies dramatically from year to year. After 20 years of guiding in northern alaska we have developed several trips to help you.
Studying the last ice area, one of wwfs flagship arctic initiatives, to help protect peary caribou habitat, particularly sea ice crossings used for migration between islands. Being caribou records an amazing odyssey of a remarkable couple. Talkeetna, chugach, wrangell, and alaska ranges in game management unit. What would it be like to walk with caribou for their whole migration from canada. The porcupine caribou, also known as grants caribou rangifer tarandus granti, is a subspecies of the caribou found in alaska, united states and adjacent parts of canada. Alaska river trips and wilderness toursanwr, gates of the. Restoring migration routes after they have been disturbed or fragmented is challenging. Canada sees anwr drilling threat to bordercrossing caribou. Experience the arctic national wildlife refuge with arctic wild trips including anwr backpacking, anwr rafting, and anwr camping. But their movements are erratic and notoriously hard to predict making it difficult to encounter this wildlife spectacle. Mar 29, 2018 but on the alaska side of the border, the land and the herd that depends upon it have come under threat from oil and gas drilling after president trump opened up the arctic national wildlife refuge anwr in his recent tax bill.
Alaska hunting and trapping regulations, alaska department. Northern oil geologists say they can techni cally recover sixteen billion barrels of oil. But anwr itself is so largealmost 10 times bigger than yellowstonethat finding the best stuff is no gimme. Every year caribou migrate between taiga and tundra. Witness mother caribou with calves and large male caribou with giant racks that are full of velvet and at their peak condition and maximum growth size. Hike on the colorful tundra, climbing small eskers to scope for approaching caribou. Of nine living subspecies of caribou in the world, the barrenground caribou rangifer tarandus grand is the only one found in alaska banfield. This scenic backpacking trip traverses one of their favorite areas.
See the caribou migration in arctic national wildlife refuge. Defending the porcupine herd, gwichin culture, and the arctic national wildlife refuge. Believed to be the largest onshore oil reservoir with petroleum potential in the us, area 1002a 1. The arctic national wildlife refuge anwr is part of the porcupine caribou herds annual migration route. The us geological survey, oil and the caribou people 1 basing its numbers on what is economically recoverable, has much lower, but still considerable.
The arctic national wildlife refuge in alaska is home to porcupine river caribou, vital to the gwichin people. The refuge also fulfills uscanada treaty obligations related to the conservation of the porcupine caribou herd. Want to see the great caribou migration come to life. From river selection to the food served, we work to meet each groups individual needs and personalize each trip and tour. Smaller than the porcupine caribou herd, which travels throughout the arctic national wildlife refuge, the central arctic herd was estimated at 70,000 in 2010 and has since declined to 22,000 in 2016. The porcupine caribou or grants caribou rangifer tarandus granti is a subspecies of the. It is a record of sheer courage, stamina, and stubbornness to find and follow on foot north americas counterpart to africas wildebeest migration.
Pearson edexcel cenre uer cnte uer level 3 gce geography. They are big enough to support the animal s bulk on snow and to paddle it efficiently. This was the first in a series of expeditions organized by the international league of conservation photographers to document the incredible landscapes, wildlife and people that depend on the refuge. An extraordinary 7 day arctic safari to explore the tundra in hopes of seeing the 350,000 strong herd of caribou on the canadian barren lands. You, the teacher and learner, are the best judge of how to use this book. The sun setting on the 1002 area of the arctic national wildlife refuge in alaska. The people that live on the land want nothing to do with the drilling and the problems that go along with it. Caribou, as part of the deer family, have large hooves that are useful tools for life in the harsh northlands. Migration is an important component of the life history of many animals, but persistence of largescale terrestrial migrations is being challenged by environmental changes that fragment habitats and create obstacles to animal movements.
Its not that i wouldnt want to visit the anwr it sounds breathtakingly. The welfare of the herd is a major consideration when discussing oil exploration in the arctic national wildlife refuge anwr and while the authors concern for the herd clearly played a part in their decision to embark on this trip and create a documentary film being caribou is a surprisingly nonpolitical book. The arctic national wildlife refuge was established in part to conserve wildlife and protect subsistence uses. For simply caribou viewing, denali is a good option. The unspoilt wilderness of northern canada forms the background for this film that focuses on the reasons why caribou migrate. Arctic national wildlife refuge known in alaska as anwr. Arctic national wildlife refuge native american rights. Testifying on behalf of wildlife nature writers defend alaskan.
Alaska hunting and trapping regulations, alaska department of. Oil is a good thing and our jobs are now industrial. The largest untapped onshore reserve of oil in north america is believed to lie beneath the refuges coastal plain. Drilling in the anwr and the arctic porcupine caribou problem. Arctic national wildlife refuge anwr caribou, birds. Photos from alaskas arctic national wildlife refuge. With a population estimate of 259,000 caribou in 2017, they range over a territory of about 157,000 square miles in northwest alaska. In the blink of an eye, a hunt for oil threatens pristine. Quietly bobbing, the still, dark waters of ennadai lake glisten and reflect the colours of sunrise. Development in anwr, on the calving and post calving range. There are 6 pages to choose from in this pack, which end up making an 8 sided half page booklet. Monitoring the teshekpuk caribou herd the north slope borough. Drilling in the arctic national wildlife refuge anwr zachary lardy. Caribou patrol caribou stewardship program grande cache.
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