There are signs that climate change is depressing caribou numbers, and ongoing and proposed development could make recovery more difficult, experts say.
A caribou skull is seen on Feb. 21, 2012, on the frozen tundra in Bering Land Bridge National Preserve. The preserve is part of the range historically used by the Western Arctic Caribou Herd. That herd and other major herds across North America are undergoing steep and nearly simultaneous declines.
There are a few notable exceptions in Alaska to the widespread declines, they noted. The Porcupine Caribou Herd that straddles the Alaska-Canada border in the Arctic region reached a historic high in 2017, the last year a census was taken. The Central Arctic and Teshekpuk herds fluctuated but experienced recent increases.
Among the most worrisome for subsistence harvesters is the trend in the Western Arctic Caribou Herd, traditionally among North America’s biggest. The herd size now, according to the most recent count, down from a high of about 490,000 in 2003. That has led to recommendations for much-reduced hunting.
“I’ve seen it. In November. I don’t like rain because we’re so far out there and it freezes, and the caribou are almost starving,” he said. “The climate change is a big factor to not only our caribou in our region, but all the mammals, the fish, what’s going on right now.”
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Winter weather advisories issued as heavy snow makes return to SoutheastUnsettled weather in the Gulf of Alaska will keep daily rain and snow for Southeast Alaska.
Read more »
American Library Association president hears about struggles and successes from Alaska librariansWhile Alaska faces unique logistical challenges, Emily Drabinski says many problems facing librarians here are happening across the country.
Read more »
Federal education officials say Alaska owes millions to Juneau, Kenai and North Slope school districtsRules attached to the funding prevented states from disproportionately reducing their funding to high-need districts.
Read more »
Federal education officials say Alaska owes millions to Juneau, Kenai and North Slope school districtsRules attached to the funding prevented states from disproportionately reducing their funding to high-need districts.
Read more »
Trees are expanding north in Alaska’s Arctic as a result of sea ice lossLarge areas of open ocean are driving heavy snowfall in the Arctic, which protects trees from harsh northern conditions.
Read more »
American Idiots Kill the American CenturyThe United States has never seemed weaker, after decades of foreign-policy bungling and strategic defeats — and dictators around the world know it.
Read more »