Caribou Migration Update: May 7, 2003
Who is Moving and Who is Not?
Following the Trail of the Caribou What would it be like to live like a caribou on their migration trail through mountain ridges and valleys? In the first of 7 reports by Karsten and Leanne written from their makeshift camps along the trail we learn first-hand about the incredible journey these magnificent animals take each and every year of their lives.
Read the entire journal entry to feel and imagine what Karsten and Leanne are experiencing. And remember that right now, at this very minute they are out on the migration trail following the caribou to their calving grounds! Gnarlie Skiers Take Note: Writers Try This!
“The Porcupine Caribou Herd are members of what people call ‘barren-ground’ caribou, but judging by what we saw, ‘mountain’ caribou would be more appropriate: or goats. We were astounded by some of the lines they were taking across mountain faces, up and down scree slopes and rock bands that we negotiated on all fours; lines that would put the gnarliest extreme skier to shame.” What is Karsten trying to tell us about the caribous’ ability to travel across the landscape? He doesn’t just say that they are good on their feet. His choice of words allows the reader to imagine the mountain slopes and the difficulty of the trails. How does he compare the caribou with a skier?
(To respond to this question, please follow the instructions below.) Try This! Descriptive Reading Makes Creative Writers “.... Streams of animals pouring like some liquid over the hilltops, expanding, contracting, spreading across ridge crests and passes...” Study more descriptive journal entries from “Being Caribou,” the team of adventurers following the caribou migration. Use their sensual writing as a springboard to your own experiences and try your hand at some creative writing. Caribou People and the Gwich'in or Tukudh Language
The Old Crow, Yukon, Web site is full of interesting information about life and culture in a small town in the Porcupine caribou migration range. Visit them to learn more: One of the fascinating pages on their site is dedicated to the Gwich’in language. Copied below are some common phrases in English and in Gwich’in. Can you try pronouncing them?
Now listen while a native speaker uses these phrases. Pick a partner and have a little conversation, in Gwich’in! Locating Bonnet Lake: Discussion of Challenge Question #16 On Easter day, 4/20 Karsten reports, “...We’re at a place called Bonnet Lake at N 68 degrees, 11.344 minutes, W137 degrees, 52.63 minutes. Challenge Question #16: “Using geographic terms that include compass directions and geographic landmarks, describe the location of Bonnet Lake. Why do you think the Porcupine caribou travel through this region on their way to the calving grounds?” If you located the position you would have found a group of lakes that appear
to have rivers running through them. They are located at the foot, just
west of the northern Richardson Mountains. These rivers and lakes are
filled with water freshly supplied by mountain snow melt. This is how
Karsten describes the lake: Stuck in a Rut: discussion of Challenge Questions #17 and #18 In our last update, caribou biologist Doug Urquart described the seasonal differences between the antlers of males and females. By looking at when antlers are shed we can see some of the interesting ways that the pregnant females have adapted. Challenge Question #17: "For what reasons might female caribou keep
their antlers during the winter, while males drop theirs in the fall? Jayanthi Rangan is absolutely right. He wrote, “I think the female Caribou must be using the antler not for fighting but for finding Lichens during winter and not starving to death. She has to eat for two.” Fact for the Day Average distance traveled by a Porcupine caribou per day: Between 15 and 20 km (in July) and between 2-3 km per day in winter.
Quote for the Day
Year-End Evaluation: Please Share Your Thoughts! Please take a few minutes to share your suggestions and comments in our Year-End Evaluation Form below. The information you provide at the end of each year is the single most important tool used to guide our planning.
Thank You! How to Respond to Today's Challenge Questions:
1. Address an e-mail message to: jn-challenge-caribou@learner.org Copyright 2003 Journey
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