2.5 Wildlife

Management Plan

2.5 Wildlife

Of the larger mammals, muskoxen are the most numerous and are identified often with Banks Island and the park. Current estimates (1998) place the non-calf muskoxen population at 45,833 animals, up from estimates of 3,800 in 1972. The population increase has been attributed to reduced predation. Wolf numbers were reduced during poisoning programs conducted during the 1960s. Considerable effort by local Inuvialuit and Government of Northwest Territories biologists is being directed toward understanding the reasons for this growth and the impacts that it may be having on the ecosystem. Using GIS analysis of survey data, it has been estimated that 11,200 muskoxen were in the park during early July, 1994. This is approximately 25% of the Banks Island muskox population.

The 1998 non-calf estimate for Peary caribou on Banks Island was 436 animals. The high Arctic population of Peary caribou is recognized as an endangered species, as a result of a population crash over the last two decades. The decline was likely caused by the cumulative effects of harvest, winter die-off, predation, inter-island movement and possibly a deterioration of range conditions. On Banks Island, the possibility of competition from muskox is being assessed by the Government of the Northwest Territories. There is overlap in the distribution and diet of the two species. It is not yet known if there is competition for forage. The Banks Island population of Peary caribou is considered low but stable and potentially recovering due to management efforts. The park does not have documented caribou calving, summer or winter ranges. The Peary caribou is a source of food, clothing and raw materials for artwork of Sachs Harbour residents, and they are particularly concerned about the low population levels.

Wolf numbers have increased during the 1990s. In 1998, 50 wolves were observed during a whole island transect survey. Most of the wolves were observed on the northern portion of the island. Other mammals found in Aulavik include Arctic fox, Arctic hare, ermine and two species of lemming. Marine mammals found along the north coast are ringed seal, bearded seal, beluga and polar bears. These species do not occur in high numbers in the park. Walrus have been sighted in the Banks Island area, but are rare visitors.

Initial bird inventories indicate that over forty species of birds make seasonal use of the park. Only two species, ptarmigan and raven, are permanent residents. Birds of prey include snowy owls, rough-legged hawks, gyrfalcons and peregrine falcons. The abundance of these species seems to be greatly dependant on the abundance of lemmings.

It is possible that the Thomsen River watershed is the most northerly example of a multispecies freshwater fish community. In areas of the Arctic farther north, the species present are either only Arctic char and nine spine stickleback, or single species communities of Arctic char. The Thomsen watershed has at least six species, including lake trout, least cisco, lake herring, nine spine stickleback and fourhorn sculpin. The Thomsen is also noted as important spawning and nursery habitat for Arctic char. With the exception of the lake trout, all of these species spend a portion of their lives in salt water.

Landlocked char are found in several of the larger lakes in the park such as Nangmagvik. Overall, very little is known about the ecology of char on Banks Island.