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Home
Answers to your questions: archives for 1998
- The sexual habits of caribou
- Real time tracking info on the Qamanirjuaq?
- How do you handle traditional knowledge?
- Population statistics
- Leaf River and George River herds?
- Toilet talk
- Home, home on which range?
- Black Lake road Memorandum of Understanding
- Who protects the woodland caribou?
- Parasites in caribou
- Show me the money
- Any relation?
- Traditional animal foods
- Sustainable development issues
- Available on video . . .
- Caring for the calves
Dec. 7, 1998
Q. I looking for information about mating among the wild caribou. I'm interested in sexual habits, i.e mating calls, unique behavior around mating season, etc. Any info you have would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
K. H.
A. The rutting season in October is accompanied by displays of fighting among bulls competing for cows. The book Caribou and the Barren-Lands by George Calef includes a detailed description of the rutting season. Check to see if your local library carries this book.
Real time tracking info on the Qamanirjuaq?
Nov. 17, 1998
Q. Hi, My name is Jimmy Thorassie, I am from Tadoule Lake, Manitoba. I am searching for a web site on how to find the location of the Qamanirjuaq caribou in Northern Manitoba? Can I find any real time location of the herds? Can you send any information on the location of the herd?
Thank you,
J. T.
Tadoule Lake, Manitoba
A. Mitch Campbell, the Regional Government Biologist at Arviat, currently provides information on satellite collared Qamanirjuaq caribou to various organizations including hunters and trappers. Cam Elliott with DNR at Thompson is on the list. The Caribou Management Board meets in Fort Smith later this week and I will bring your question to their attention. You might also mention your interest to Albert Thorassie who is a board member. At the moment there is no web site to find the location of Qamanirjuaq caribou in real time. But we'll follow up on this.
Gunther Abrahamson
Secretary-Treasurer
BQCMB
How do you handle traditional knowledge?
Nov. 4, 1998
Q. The Indigenous Peoples Secretariat of the Arctic Council has asked me to compile a list of literature, programs and projects related to Traditional Knowledge. Have you at the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board done any work in this area. Do you have guidelines for the use or handling of TK, or have you released any literature on the topic.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
P. B.
Karasjok, Norway
A. The BQCMB doesn't have any guidelines relating to the useage of traditional knowledge, but in making decisions, the board always takes traditional knowledge into account. In fact, the board outlines in its management plan that it will follow this process in arriving at decisions.
And the board has incorporated TK into projects as well. For example, several years ago the board worked with local hunters in mapping hunting priority zones for fire management on the caribou range. Earlier this year the board published a poster about hunting wisely, and it reflects TK (you can read the poster here in its entirety).
And currently, a TK pilot project is planned for the community of Tadoule Lake, Manitoba to document the knowledge of caribou habitat, its use and importance in a way that it can be worked into the BQCMB's important habitats project data base (this is a large-scale project the board has been working on for more than a year.)
Oct. 30, 1998
Q. I was looking for stats on caribou populations for the last 5 to 10 years in northern Canada. Can you help!!!
Thanks,
T. W.
Bass River, Nova Scotia
A. I'd like to suggest you get in touch with the government of the Northwest Territories' Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development for survey figures on the different herds. It looks like questions can be sent in via their guestbook. In the Yukon, you'll want to take a look at the web site of the Porcupine Caribou Management Board.
I can give you some figures for the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq herds (these taken from Caribou News, March 1994 and Caribou News, March 1995).
Beverly Herd Population Estimates:
1971 - 210,000
1977 - 177,000
1978 - 131,000
1980 - 94,000
1982 - 151,000
1984 - 264,000
1988 - 190,000
1993 - 87,000
1994 - 276,000
Qamanirjuaq Herd Estimates:
1988 - 221,000
1994 - 496,000
Leaf River and George River herds?
Oct. 25, 1998
Q. Is any research being done on the Leaf river and George river caribou herds? Are these herds also being managed and tracked? Where could I find information on the Quebec Labradour herds? I am interested in information regarding population and change in migration habits.
A. J. H.
Meyersdale, Pennsylvania
A. The co-management group that looks after the George River and Leaf River herds is the:
Hunting , Fishing and Trapping Co-ordinating Committee,
393 Saint Jacques, Montreal, Quebec H2Y 1N9
Phone 514 284 2151, Fax 514 284 0093
E-mail: hftcc@total.net
You could also try getting in touch with Serge Couturier, a biologist who is with Quebec's Department of Environment and Wildlife (tel.: (418) 643-6662).
As for caribou herds in Labrador, I'd wager that Newfoundland's Department of Environment and Labour would be able to help you.
Aug. 9, 1998
Q. Caribou, I understand, migrate in large herds and cover a fair amount of ground in a day's migration. What do they do about urination – can they urinate while they walk, or do they have to stop and have the animals behind them walk around them. I understand that domestic cattle can urinate while they walk and I wonder if that is a holdover from the days of wild cattle, when they also migrated. I saw a caribou in an enclosure which was walking back and forth, and it just stopped, spread its legs, and let go. Do they modify that standard urination posture when involved in their migration behavior?? I'd appreciate knowing. THANKS!!
K. C.
Norfolk, Virginia
A. I'm afraid I don't know the answer to this one.
Aug. 3, 1998
Q. Last August we went caribou hunting on the Kvichak River just out of Lake Iliamna. We managed to bag a few caribou but we saw hardly any. I'm wondering if the caribou weren't congregated in that area yet. During the month of August (which is the only time my vacation allows me to make a trip like this), where would my best chances of seeing more caribou be? Are they higher up in the mountains at this time of year or did we just hit an unlucky year?
Any information regarding this subject would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
D. B.
Hibbing, Minnesota
A. Our herds range in northern Manitoba, northern Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories in Canada. The area you are describing is in Alaska.
You could try contacting the Porcupine Caribou Management Board (PCMB) at pcmb@polarcom.com. Their herd ranges between Yukon and Alaska. If that's still not close to the area you were looking at, they can probably refer you to someone knowledgeable in Alaska.
Black Lake road Memorandum of Understanding
July 13, 1998
Q. Where can I get further information on, and/or a copy of, the "memorandum of understanding" between SERM and the Prince Albert Grand Council, Fond du Lac, Black lake and Hatchet Lake Denesuline Nations on caribou and road management?
R. G.
North Vancouver, British Columbia
A. You could e-mail BQCMB board member Tim Trottier to ask who is the SERM representative on the memorandum of understanding. You can reach Tim at tel.: (306)425-4237, fax: (306) 425-2580 (fax) or e-mail: tim.trottier.erm@govmail.gov.sk.ca
On the residents' side, I believe the main contact would be John Dantouze of the Prince Albert Grand Council. Tel.: (306) 953-7200.
Who protects the woodland caribou?
May 11, 1998
Q. Your web site was very interesting. I am in 7th grade and my science class is doing a project on endangered animals. I am looking for info on the woodland caribou. Does the BQCMB protect the woodland or just the barren ground caribou? Is there a government agency that does protect the woodland? I would appreciate any info you have on the woodland caribou. Thank you and keep up the good work.
C. H.
Wantagh, New York
A. Thank you for your comments. For information on woodland caribou, check this web site. Good luck with your project.
May 9, 1998
Q. I was searching the net and came across your page, very impressive! I recently graduated from Memorial University with a B.Sc and this past semester have also participated in research on Caribou, particularly the Avalon Herd on the east coast of Newfoundland. Research was conducted in the field of Wildlife Parasitology. In Newfoundland, the Avalon herd is infected with several parasites; including, lung, liver, nasopharyngeal, subcutaneous and in particular the brain worm parasites, appear to be causing a large decrease in the population.
These parasites include:
| COMMON NAME | TAXONOMIC NAME | BODY LOCATION |
| Brain Worm | Paraelaphostrongylus rangiferi | Brain meninges Membrane |
| N/A | Sarcocytis sp. | Striated muscle |
| Liver Fluke | Fascioloides magna | Liver, lungs, peritoneal |
| N/A | Echinococcus granulosis | Liver, lungs |
| N/A | Taenia krabbei | Heart, muscle |
| N/A | Taenia hydatigena | Liver, muscle |
| Lung Worm | Protostrongylus dictyocaulus | Lungs |
| Lung Worm | Dictyocaulus viviparus | Lungs |
| N/A | Parelaphostrongylus andersonii | Muscle bundles |
| Warble Fly | Hypoderma tarandi | subcutaneous |
| Throat Bot | Cephenemyia trompe | nasopharyngeal |
Have you reported any herd members being infected with these parasites? Have any diagnosis been made of parasites other than those listed above? I have a real interest in caribou and because in Newfoundland I feel that they are in danger of disappearing, I am also interested in the parasites that they may host.
I am also and sending you a resume for if you could consider me for any employment oppurtunities it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Sincerely yours,
G. M. L.
Holyrood, Newfoundland
A. Glad you like our web site! For the best answers regarding parasites found in the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq herds, try contacting the following biologists:
Tim Trottier
Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management
Tel.: (306) 425-4237
Fax: (306) 425-2580
E-mail: tim.trottier.erm@govmail.gov.sk.ca
Cam Elliott
Manitoba Natural Resources
Wildlife Branch
Tel.: (204) 677-6644
Fax: (204) 677-6359
E-mail: celliott@gov.mb.ca or celliott@mb.sympatico.ca
Mitch Campbell
NWT Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development
Tel.: (867) 857-2820
Fax: (867) 857-2986
E-mail: Mitch_Campbell@gov.nt.ca or mitchc@arctic.ca
April 24, 1998
Q. I'm just curious: what are the Board's funding sources? Thanks.
D. T.
A. It is currently funded by the five partners that signed the Intergovernmental Caribou Management Agreement: the Government of Manitoba, the Government of the Northwest Territories, the Government of Saskatchewan, and two departments of the Canadian federal government (the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, and Environment Canada).
The Board has recommended that in 1999, the new Government of Nunavut be invited to sign on. The federal government departments will be withdrawing their financial support. Nunavut officially becomes a territory on April 1, 1999.
April 21, 1998
Q. Saw board member George Kuksuk wanted to know if any relation to me please email me with an email address for george thank you.
J. K.
Chicago, Illinois
A. George doesn't have e-mail but you can phone him at (867) 857-2646 or fax (867) 857-2930.
Traditional animal foods
March 27, 1998
Q. I am a McGill student in Nutritional Sciences and am currently engaged in a research project with a former professor in order to assemble information regarding the traditional animal foods of indigenous groups within Canada. If you have such information regarding the preperation and preservation of animal foods only, could you please contact me at the above mentioned e-mail address. I thank you and look forward to hearing from you soon
Sincerly,
N. V.
Ste-Anne de-Bellevue, Quebec
A. Unfortunately, the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board has no involvement with the preparation and preservation of traditional food (country food, as it's called up North). But are you familiar with CINE?
The Centre for Nutrition and the Environment of Indigenous Peoples (CINE)
Macdonald Campus of McGill University
21,111 Lakeshore Rd.
Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec
H9X 3V9
(514) 398-7544 (phone)
(514) 398-1020 (fax)
Web site: http://cine.mcgill.ca
This is a fairly new Canadian organization driven by an aboriginal board. It does case studies of nutrition etc. at the request of individual aboriginal communities. I believe I've seen recipes and articles in their newsletter about traditional food preparation.
Sustainable development issues
March 26, 1998
Q. I am University of Manitoba third year student Reporting on Sustainable Development Issues surrounding the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Range. I have found BQCMB information on the internet quite useful and will be using this in my report. I have a few questions that I hope you will find the time to answer and return back to me at my email address. Thank-you for you interest in this matter.
1. What are the economic issues? From the information BQCMB has released, the economic potential of caribou regarding outfitting for non-resident sports huntes is an issue that should be of benefit to the local aboriginal peoples. Is this an economic venture for them? Who is benefitting from outfitting?
2. Why worry about conservation? Who's responsibility is conservation? I know from the research done and speaking to local people in the Churchill area that developoment in the North has greatly increased due to technology, transportation, mining, deforestation, global pollution; is conservation the answer now at this late stage in the preservation process?
3. Are the local people, the Aboriginal peoples, directly or indirectly involved? Just as in any beauracracy, are the concerns of all being heard or is it just those that are at the top allowed to have a say?
4. Are management boards such as BQCMB having an impact?
5. Are the caribou as threatened as we in the south are led to believe? Do you see the extinction of the caribou in the future?
6. Sustainable development in the North -- is it possible to clean up the garbage that has been left behind from development projects, to reverse the damagaging effects of mining and the tailings that are left behind, to provide clean water to the people and the wildlife?
How far down the road can we see BQCMB goals as outlined become a reality not just a proposal on the internet?
Sincerely,
D. L.
A. 1. More and more aboriginal people are getting involved in outfitting. Non-resident sports hunting, when regulated, yields considerable economic benefits to aboriginal communities in terms of employment for local guides, sales of arts & crafts etc. In most communities the caribou meat, or most of it, remains with the community. Details vary depending on the jurisdiction.
2. Wildlife management is a provincial-territorial responsibility. The Caribou Management Board merely advises governments regarding developments which may have an impact on caribou or their habitat.
3. In so far as the Caribou Management Board is concerned, aboriginal people are in the majority on the board. Governments have a good record in acting on the board's recommendations. The board meets at least once a year in an aboriginal community, its meetings are open to the public, and an evening is set aside to meet with the public and to hear their concerns.
4. Yes, at least in so far as aboriginal people are consulted and their support is sought.
5. Caribou populations are cyclical. The Beverly and Qamanirjuaq herds seem to be at a peak at the moment. We do not believe that these herds are in danger of extinction.
6. This question (re: Sustainable development in the North) should be directed to the government agencies responsible.
The BQCMB has been in existence since 1982 and is considered to be a success. Many of the goals are on-going. Others have been met and are no longer listed.
For more information on the questions you have raised, and on the board's activities, you might wish to consult Caribou News published since 1981 and available at the University of Manitoba Library.
March 12, 1998
Q. I am a student at the University of Toronto in the Master of Forest Conservation Program doing research on the issues surrounding caribou management in Canada. I will be presenting a seminar on caribou conservation on April 1.
This morning, I came across your website on the internet and I found that you have a video for sale. I would be very interested in obtaining a copy of it, if you think that it would be possible to receive it prior to April 1. I noticed that you require a $25 money order for the video. Is it possible for you to take my credit card number so that the video may arrive before the end of the month? If not, I will send the money order and hope for the best!
Please respond ASAP!
H. M.
A. Sorry! We can't handle credit cards. But e-mail me your address and I'll mail you a copy of the video. Make it out to the Caribou Management Board. Have you checked out the UoT Library. They have copies of Caribou News which we have published since 1981.
Good luck
Gunther Abrahamson
3565 Revelstoke Drive
Ottawa, ON K1V 7B9
Jan. 22, 1998
Q. How do Caribou care for their offspring? I would truly appreciate an e-mail response. THANK YOU
A. P.
Holmdel, New Jersey
A. Here is some additional information :
Besides providing nourishment in the form of milk rich in fat, the mothers lead their calf away from any danger. The mothers will defend their calf from small predators but cannot do much if a wolf is the attacker. In winter, the mothers paw away snow with their large round hoofs and allow the calf to feed on exposed lichens and other vegetation in the resulting feeding 'crater.' The calf learns how to survive by following the behavior of the mother.