SONNY PARKER

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(2014) Recovery of the Forty Mile Caribou Herd

The fall and rise of the Forty Mile Caribou Herd.

The Forty Mile Herd once numbered over 600,000 animals with a range spanning much of Alaska and Yukon. By 1970 the count was down to 6000. This drastic reduction was likely due to a combination of human impacts and a changing environment.

Collaborative talks and agreements were made between Yukon and Alaska governments, as well as First Nations, to find a solution. First Nations governments agreed to voluntarily suspend their traditional subsistence harvest. State and Territorial governments prohibited licensed hunting of the herd. Predator control measures to reduce natural predation also evolved to include non-lethal methods, such as relocation of wolf packs and sterilization of breeding alpha pairs. These efforts combined to start a population rebound.

The herd now numbers over 80,000 (as of 2019) and migrated as far east as the Dempster Highway during winter 2013/2014. This was the first time in many years they've wintered in the north eastern most reaches of their historical range.

This is a great example of positive ecological and environmental change that people can initiate by taking facts seriously and acting together to make a difference.
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  • Forty Mile Caribou Herd wintering near Dempster Highway

    Forty Mile Caribou Herd wintering near Dempster Highway

  • Yukon Grey Wolves play a vital role in keeping the natural predator/prey populations healthy throughout the territory

    Yukon Grey Wolves play a vital role in keeping the natural predator/prey populations healthy throughout the territory

  • A young bull from the Forty Mile Herd in its summer range near the Yukon-Alaska Border

    A young bull from the Forty Mile Herd in its summer range near the Yukon-Alaska Border

  • Dempster Highway

    Dempster Highway

  • Barren-ground caribou are always on the move

    Barren-ground caribou are always on the move

  • A bull from the Forty Mile Herd during their winter migration

    A bull from the Forty Mile Herd during their winter migration

  • Roadkills are an unfortunate reality of thousands of animals wintering near the Dempster Highway

    Roadkills are an unfortunate reality of thousands of animals wintering near the Dempster Highway

  • Caribou easily navigate steep, rocky mountain terrain

    Caribou easily navigate steep, rocky mountain terrain

  • Heavy hail and rain pours down over a tributary of the Yukon River, Central Yukon. These are wintering grounds for the Forty Mile Caribou Herd.

    Heavy hail and rain pours down over a tributary of the Yukon River, Central Yukon. These are wintering grounds for the Forty Mile Caribou Herd.

  • Forty Mile Caribou Herd wintering near Dempster Highway

    Forty Mile Caribou Herd wintering near Dempster Highway

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    Yukon Grey Wolves play a vital role in keeping the natural predator/prey populations healthy throughout the territory
    A young bull from the Forty Mile Herd in its summer range near the Yukon-Alaska Border
    Dempster Highway