2011 Annual Report of NWT Wildlife Research Permits and Western ...

Wildlife Species Research:
Caribou
LONG-TERM PLANS .
AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road Joint Venture views
the Winter Road Communities Environment Committee
as a valuable resource to monitor the road and assist with
inspections and wildlife observations. The Joint Venture
plans to continue working with this Committee to carry
out inspections along the road. There have been many
issues raised recently by communities in relation to the
impacts of aerial surveys on caribou. In response to these
concerns, the Joint Venture is not planning to conduct
further aerial surveys during the 2012 winter road season.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Northern residents will continue to be an integral part
of the wildlife monitoring programs for the winter road
by providing assistance, local knowledge, and
a northern perspective.
During 2011, the Winter Road Communities Environment
Committee travelled the road.
Numerous community members are hired to assist with
the construction and operation of the road. These and
other employees working on the road record incidental
wildlife observations that may occur at any time, either
at the road camps or on the road itself.
Community members also participate in annual spring
surveys of the road, as well as archaeological surveys
along the road, in order to ensure that local participation
and knowledge from different communities is incorporated
into the various monitoring programs. This also allows for
community members to work on the land and gain a better
understanding of mining developments and the
infrastructure required to support such operations
in remote areas.
Photo: A. Gunn
Male and female barren-ground caribou.
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