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Caribou Migration Update: February 27, 2002

Today's Report Includes:

Caribou, Caribou, Where are You?

Caribou Migration Map
Click on Map to Enlarge

With a migration range that can approach 1,100 kilometers (almost 700 miles) each year in an area about 266,000 square kilometers (over 100,000 square miles) in size, satellite technology helps us mark the spot where our caribou cows are spending their winter.
How far have they traveled in the past 2 weeks? What habitat is best for surviving the incredibly cold and blustery winter weather?
These are some of the questions to think about when you review this weeks' data and map.


Porcupine Bake-off Challenge: An Edible Lesson in Map Making

Caribou range cookie map

Where do the Porcupine caribou roam? We find them in the Arctic, far in the north, in the land of frozen mountains and tundra. Ogilvie, Richardson, Chandelar- do these names mean anything to you? Studying the geography of the Porcupine caribou range will help you predict their migration path and understand their Arctic habitat.

Learn about Arctic topography, rivers and villages in the caribou range:


After your cookie map-making experience, use your knowledge to think about this:
Most years the caribou migrate right through an area that includes the town of Old Crow. After studying the geography around this area consider how you would answer these questions.

Challenge Question #4
"What would it be like to live in Old Crow or Arctic Village? What came first, the migration path or the town? What makes this route good for 1.) the caribou 2.) a town?"

(To respond to this question, please follow the instructions below.)

Taking A Closer Look: Discussion of Challenge Questions #1 and #2
In our first update we asked you to study the map and data and gather your resources to answer these first questions of the season:
We asked, "Find Cupid, Isabella and Lupine on the map. What geographical feature are they clustered around?"
Students from Iselin Middle School in Iselin, NJ dug deep and reported researching the geography of the area. Cupid is in valley nestled deep in the Davidson Mountains and Isabella and Lupine are hanging around the valleys and lakes surrounding Arctic Village.
Students from Ferrisburg Central School in Ferrisburgh, VT discovered a topographical map and think that Old John Lake near Arctic Village is the site for the 2 caribou browsing there.

Challenge Question #2 asked, "Find Blixen and Lucky on the map. Can you describe the geographic feature or location where these two caribou are found?"
A closer look shows that these caribou are browsing level terrain in a drainage area of the Ogilvie River. Students at Iselin Middle School suggested that they were in an area of a rocky river bottom. Often the caribou will browse for food in the woodlands, then come down to the open river beds to ruminate (digest their food).
Latest News: "Caribou Convention:" An Unusual Gathering
What do you get when you cross a Porcupine with a Teshekpuk or a Central Arctic? You get an unusual gathering of caribou! If only we could transport ourselves up to the countryside around Arctic Village this winter to witness this interesting phenemonon.

Dr. Stephen Arthur
Alaska Department of Fish and Game

Wildlife biologist, Dr. Stephen Arthur sent us this "convention" news along with his comments, "Although this (mixing of herds) has been documented occasionally in the past, it is unusual. However, it appears that about half of the Porcupine Herd is wintering in the vicinity of Arctic Village, while the main segment of the Central Arctic Herd is wintering about 50-100 miles west of there. One of the Porcupine satellite collars has been spending the winter with a group of caribou from the Central Arctic Herd (CAH)."
The question of how much interaction occurs between herds is of great interest to biologists right now.

For a better idea of the caribou herd npopulation, view a map showing ranges of all the Alaskan caribou herds.

Oil Drilling in the US Arctic Region: Is it Essential?
The controversy is stirring. Would the potential oil recovery outweigh the effects that an oil drilling operation would have on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) environment and the heart of the caribou calving area?
The issue is big. Which side do you support? Are you pro or con: proponent or opponent? How do you form an opinion? Current US energy legislation protects the caribou calving area (1002 Area) from any drilling, but President Bush wants to amend that legislation. The current US administration proposes to expand North Slope oil and gas drilling operations into the heart of the calving area insisting that drilling for domestic oil and gas reserves would reduce reliance on foreign oil.
Take some time in your classrooms to discuss this important issue. Collect articles from newspapers and magazines. Browse the internet for information. Interview your parents and grandparents, your teachers and elected officials.
Learn how to make an informed decision. Collect and review information including this fact sheet:

Then with your classmates, look at the issue critically using this cognitive organizing tool called a PMI chart.

Then try this challenge:

Challenge Question #5
""Where do you stand on the subject of drilling for oil in ANWR now?
1. Complete this thought: In my opinion I support______________ because ____________."
2. Then answer this: Is there any action that could come as a result of my stand on this issue? What could I do?"

(To respond to this question, please follow the instructions below.)

Collaring Cows: A Discussion of Challenge Question #3

Courtesy Satellite Collar Project

Last time we asked, "Why do you think they choose to collar only cows (female caribou)?"
Does it seem a coincidence that all the collared caribou are cows? After some research, Andrew, a 5th Grader at Ferrisburgh Central was thinking like a biologist. He wrote in to let us know that by being able to locate the cows you can find the calves and study how the herd is growing. Exactly! During the census, it is the cows which form large groups near the north coast, while the bulls tend to be in the foothills.

Thanks to all students who wrote in their ideas.

Literature Link: LOST IN THE BARRENS
LOST IN THE BARRENS, by Farley Mowat, is a novel set in the barren lands of Southern North West Territories and Northern Manitoba. Written for grades 6-8 this story takes the reader into an adventure in which a caribou herd shares a significant part of the story. Drawing on his knowledge of the ways of the wilderness and the implacable northern elements, Farley Mowat has created a memorable story that focuses on 2 boys, a native Cree Indian, and a Canadian living with his uncle, a trapper named Angus Macnair.
The book is also available in video format.
Video Series Teaches More about Porcupine Caribou Herd
If you would like to learn more about this migrating herd, materials are available free from the Porcupine Caribou Management Board. Designed as a 4-part video series with accompanying teachers' manuals, the materials are a free resource for your classroom.
The program has four units: Awareness and Appreciation; The Value of Caribou; Mortality and Environmental Hazards of Caribou and Conservation and Management.
Contact PCMB at pcmb@polarcom.com or by mail at:
PCMB, Box 31723, Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 6L3

A Parting Shot: Days Quickly Getting Longer in Caribouland
On Wednesday, February 27 in Old Crow, Yukon, land where many caribou spend the winter, daylength has increased a whole hour since last week! Today's sunrise there was at 8:44AM and sunset will be at 6:20PM. That is an increase of 17 minutes since Monday!
How are your days increasing in length where you live? Keep track and compare to caribouland. Bookmark this page:

and remember to refresh the page whenever you visit!

How to Respond to Today's Challenge Questions:

IMPORTANT: Answer only ONE question in each e-mail message.

1. Address an e-mail message to: jn-challenge-caribou@learner.org
2. In the Subject Line of your message write: Challenge Question #4 (or #5).
3. In the body of EACH message, give your answer to ONE of the questions above.

The Next Caribou Migration Update Will Be Posted on March 13, 2002.

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