Beverly and Qaminirjuaq
See resources from the management board for these herds.
- Beverly herd size (2018): 103,000
- Qamanirjuaq herd size (2017): 288,000
The two herds are treated together here as they are covered by a single management board.
The Beverly herd is shared by Nunavut, the NWT, and Saskatchewan. The herd’s range overlaps with the Bathurst caribou herd on the west, and Qamanirjuaq and Ahiak caribou herds on the east. The herd calves in both the Western Queen Maud Gulf area and the traditional calving grounds near Beverly Lake in Nunavut. There are differing opinions on what is happening with the Beverly herd. A 2015 academic paper suggests that the herd may have ceased to exist as a separate entity, and may have been absorbed into the Ahiak herd.
The range of the Qamanirjuaq herd overlaps with Beverly and Ahiak herds to the west, and is mostly in Manitoba and Nunavut, with portions in the southeast NWT and northeast Saskatchewan. The herd calves in the vicinity of Qamanirjuaq Lake in Nunavut.
Related news
Caribou management board focused on a number of challenges after most recent meetings
A report of the recent meeting of the Beverly Qaminirjuq Caribou Management Board. Amongst other issues the board discussed was the difficulty experienced by some communities in accessing the caribou. A northwards move by the caribou has meant very long travel for some hunters in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
1 December 2022 | Missinipi Broadcasting Corporation
QIA says Nunavut land-use plan doesn’t go far enough to protect caribou
The Qikiqtani Inuit Association (the organization that holds land rights for Inuit in the Baffin region of Nunavut) is urging more prtoections for caribou in the Nunavut Land Use Plan. The land use plan is in its final hearing stage. The plan has been under development for several years and will influence the future of development in the territory.
18 November 2022 | Nunatsiaq news
Beverly and QaminirjuaqBarren-groundPearyAhiakBaffin IslandBathurstBluenose WestBluenose EastBoothia PenninsulaCape BathurstCoats IslandLorillardTuk PeninsulaWager BaySouthampton IslandBanks-VictoriaWestern Queen ElizabethPrince of Wales - Somerset - BoothEastern Queen ElizabethDolphin and UnionRange management
GN calls for federal investigation into Agnico Eagle’s Meadowbank mine
The Government of Nunavut is asking the federal government to investigate what it says is a mining company's failure to follow caribou conservation measures. The Meadowbank Gold Mine, north of Baker Lake in Nunavut, is supposed to close raods when groups of caribou are in the vicinity. In a letter, a Nunavut government representative says this is the fourth year that there is evidence that the comany has not followed the rules on raod closures.
3 November 2022 | Nunatsiaq news
Qamanirjuaq caribou are adapting to earlier spring, but that might not stop their decline
A magazine article about research on the Qamanirjuaq herd, showing that the herd is starting its migration earlier and giving birth earlier, likely in response to climate change. The warming climate in the caribou range is leading to earlier greening on the caribou's summer range. The article also mentions concerns about the private sales of meat from the herd.
11 July 2022 | Canadian Geographic
Proposed Meliadine mine extension to be assessed
A mining company is proposing an expansion to its gold mine north of Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. The Agnico Eagle proposal would add wind turbines and an airstrip to the mine. Some local Inuit organization fear the impact on caribou migrations. The proposal is being reviewed by the Nunavut Impact Review Board.
5 July 2022 | Nunatsiaq news
https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/northern-caribou-management-board-fails-to-secure-budget-boost/
A story about the quest of the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq caribou management board to double its budget, in part to pay for an updated management plan for the herds. There's also a reference in the story to incresed pressures of sport hunting on the herds.
1 April 2022 | Nunatsiaq news
The biggest land use plan in the world: how Nunavut is putting mining and conservation on the map
This longer story is about the Nunavut land use plan. The draft plan designates key caribou habitat such as calving areas as "limited use" effectively closing them off to industrial development such as mining. The plan has been in development for fifteen years, and is now considered close to completion.
18 January 2022 | The Narwhal
Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board seeks to more than double its funding
The lead of the story is that the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq caribou management board is looking to double its budget citing climate change as a complicating factor in conserving the herd. The story also notes that the board is revising its caribou management plan in 2022.
30 December 2021 | cbc north
Don’t waste caribou, Kivalliq HTO tells hunters
A spokesperson for the local Hunters and Trappers Organization in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut urges people to not waste parts of the caribou they hunt. The story speaks of anecdotal evidence that people are leaving less sought-after parts of the caribou behind.
7 May 2021 | Nunatsiaq News (Nunavut)
monitoring caribou on the winter road
This is an online story and 4'23" video talking about the efforts to monitor caribou hunting in the area north of Yellowknofe. Recent concerns about bad hunting practices, including meat wastage are mentioned.
2 April 2021 | Cabin radio (NWT)
Premier says government won’t regulate online caribou meat sales
The government of Nunavut says it cannot regulate the online sales of caribou meat after concerns were raised by local politicians about the impact of such sales on the
Qamanirjuaq herd. The government says it cannot interfere because of the terms of the Nunavut land claim, so the issue should be taken to the land claims organization, Nunavut Tunggavik Incorporated (NTI). NTI says the volume of sales and the impact on caribou numbers are uncertain, so it is "premature to propose restrictions".
22 March 2021 | Nunatsiaq News
Illegal hunting of caribou herds along winter roads running rampant
A news story about an increase in caribou hunting infractions in the Northwest Territories. There are particular concerns about meat wastage and bad hunting practices along the access roads to the diamond mines northeast of Yellowknife. NWT officials say "they are currently investigating the illegal harvest of over 50 caribou so far this winter, compared to less than 10 at this point last year."
10 March 2021 | CBC North
N.W.T., Nunavut advocates fight for more caribou calving ground protections
14 September 2020 | CBC North
Seal River Watershed slated to become Indigenous Protected Area
A news release from Environment and Climate Change Canada talking about its $3.2 million investment an Indigenous Protected Area in the Seal River Watershed in Northern Manitoba. This area in a wintering ground for the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq caribou herds. The initiative covers traditional territories of the Cree, Dene and Inuit.
25 August 2020 | cision
Strategy to help NWT’s beleaguered caribou is released
A news story about a new recovery strategy for barren-ground caribou herds in the NWT. The strategy was developed by group of governments and regulatory boards, collectively known as the Conference of Management Authorities. The recovery strategy will guide how all NWT herds of barren-ground caribou are managed, with the exception of the Porcupine herd.
10 July 2020 | cabin radio
Agnico Eagle tries to ease caribou protection measures for Nunavut mine
A news story about a gold-mining company's attempt to loosen restrictions on transporting ore on a haul road when caribou are present. The mining company operates in the Kivalliq region of Nunavut, north of the community of Baker Lake. The region is used by the Qamanirjuaq herd, the largest herd found in Nunavut.
8 June 2020 | Nunatsiaq News
Arctic caribou move up migration due to climate change
Story about how the Qamanirjuaq herd has moved up its northward migration dates in Nunavut in response to climate change
4 May 2020 | St. Albert Today
Where are the wolves? Satellite collaring planned for wolves on caribou winter range
a 2020 news story about collaring wolves associated with the Beverly/Ahiak, Bathurst and Bluenose-east herds.
31 January 2020 | CBC
Nunavut’s biggest caribou herd still faces downward trend, warns report
A 2019 news story on the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq herds that talks about the difficulty of tracking hunting numbers especially due to online sales of caribou meat. It is also critical of increased mineral exploration.
10 January 2019 | Nunatsiaq News
Another Nunavut caribou herd faces decline
A 2016 news story about the Nunavut Government’s concern about Internet-driven sales of caribou meat.
4 March 2016 | Nunatsiaq News
Related resources
BQCMB - Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan - 2023
A 11'29" video by the Beverly and Qamairjuaq Caribou Management Board. It aggregates testimony from Indigenous people speaking at hearings into the Nunavut Land Use Plan in Rankin Inlet and Thompson Manitoba. The testimony highlights the importance of protecting caribou habitat, especially calving grounds. The end of the video highlights written statements from organizations expressing the same sentiments.
(2023)
Usage: Non-commercial with attribution Format: video
Beverly and QaminirjuaqBarren-groundHuman disturbanceContinental synchrony and local responses: Climatic effects on spatiotemporal patterns of calving in a social ungulate
This paper looked at data from seven barren ground caribou herds, totalling more than 1200 animals over 15 years. The authors were trying to estimate the effects of changing climate on calving. The paper notes that, "...the ability to access preferred calving areas and the ability to synchronize births in time are critical for maintaining high barren-ground caribou abundances..." in concludes, "Overall, we detected considerable variability across years and across herds, but no significant trend for earlier calving by caribou, even as broad indicators of spring and snow phenology trend earlier."
(2023)
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Beverly and QaminirjuaqBarren-groundBathurstBluenose WestBluenose EastCape BathurstClimate changeCaribou and wind turbines (Kivalliq region) - an overview of available information
A 22 slide presentation (exported as a pdf) providing an overview of effects of wind turbine development on Caribou. As the presentation points out, there is little information directly on the effects of wind turbines, so a lot of the information covers the effects of potential related disturbance. The presentation is related to plans to install wind turbines in the Nunavut communities of Baker Lake, Arviat and Rankin Inlet. The presentation was the result of a project by Heather Hayne for WWF Canada.
(2022)
Usage: Non-commercial with attribution Format: presentation
Beverly and QaminirjuaqBarren-groundRange managementClimate changeHuman disturbancecaribou contaminant report 2020-21
This is a report that covers all of the results from a project to monitor contaminants in caribou. Some tests could not be done due to lack of lab capacity udirng the pandemic. The report concludes that: "Levels of most contaminants measured in caribou tissues are not of concern, although kidney mercury and cadmium concentrations may cause some concern for human health depending on the quantity of organs consumed. Caribou meat (muscle) does not accumulate high levels of contaminants and is a healthy food choice.
Concentrations of PFASs and PBDEs are low with respect to potential toxicity to caribou or those consuming caribou. Adults consuming Sanikiluaq reindeer are recommended to consume a maximum of seven whole livers each year due to PFOS levels in those livers."
(2021)
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PorcupineBeverly and QaminirjuaqBarren-groundBaffin IslandContaminants“These Trees Have Stories to Tell”:Linking Dënesǫ́łıné Oral History of Caribou Use with Trample Scar Frequencyon Black Spruce Roots at Ɂedacho Kué
This academic article combines Indigenous and scientific knowledge to elaborate on the histroy of caribou movements near the Dënesǫ́łıné community of Lutsel K'e (Northwest Territories). It is useful to not only consider the abundance history of the Bathurst and Beverly caribou herds, but also the ways in which the research was locally-directed, and the ways in which the different types of knowledge were used. The paper repeats the contention of local people that disruption caused by mining in the region is largely to blame for the current herd declines.
(2021)
Usage: Non-commercial with attribution Format: web
Beverly and QaminirjuaqBarren-groundBathurstHuman disturbanceRECOVERY STRATEGY FOR BARREN-GROUND CARIBOU In the Northwest Territories
This 70-page recovery strategy for barren-gound caribou in the Northwest Territories lays out plans to help the eight herds covered by the strategy. The strategy was required by the NWT Species at Risk Act after the barren-ground caribou were listed as "threatened" in 2018. The governments and co-management boards that developed the strategy have until April 9, 2021 to agree on the implementation of the recovery strategy.
Conference of Management Authorities (2020)
Usage: Non-commercial with attribution Format: web
Beverly and QaminirjuaqBarren-groundAhiakBathurstBluenose WestBluenose EastCape BathurstTuk PeninsulaManaging huntingManaging predatorsRange managementManagementContaminants in Arctic Caribou Synopsis Report 2019-20
A 9 page synopsis report of the Arctic Caribou Contaminant Monitoring Program. The program covers several Arctic herds. It concludes, "Levels of most contaminants measured in caribou kidneys were not of concern toxicologically, although renal [kidney] mercury and cadmium concentrations may cause some concern for human health depending on the quantity of organs consumed. Yukon Health has advised restricting intake of kidney and liver from Yukon caribou, the recommended maximum varying depending on herd (e.g. a maximum of 25 Porcupine cariboukidneys/year). The health advisory confirms that heavy metals are very low in the meat (muscle) from caribouand this remains a healthy food choice. There have been no health advisories issued for caribou in NWT or Nunavut."
Northern contaminants program (2020)
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PorcupineBeverly and QaminirjuaqBarren-groundBathurstLorillardFortymilePeopleContaminantsRenal trace elements in barren-ground caribou subpopulations: Temporal trends and differing effects of sex, age and season
An academic paper that looks at the level of some metals in kidneys of some northern caribou. It found that copper levels are decreasing in the caribou kidneys, possibly due to changes in what caribou are eating. The paper concludes, "Declining Cu concentrations in caribou are of concern as low levels could potentially negatively affect reproduction and therefore caribou at a population level."
Science of the Total Environment (2020)
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PorcupineBeverly and QaminirjuaqBarren-groundBaffin IslandBathurstBluenose WestBluenose EastCape BathurstPeopleClimate changeContaminantsReport to the Hunters of the Qamanirjuaq Caribou May 2020
A brief Northern Contaminants Program report on the Qamanirjuaq caribou herd. The report has not found any significant change in levels of the contaminants monitored in the samples from 2018.
Northern contaminants program (2020)
Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation’s Caribou Stewardship Plan
A 47-page 2020 Caribou stewardship plan from the Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation (NWT). The “Yúnethé Xá Ɂetthën Hádı” plan covers the Bathurst, Beverly, Ahiak, and Qamanirjuaq herds.
Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation (2020)
Report to the Hunters of the Qamanirjuaq Caribou May 2020 - Inuktitut
A brief Northern Contaminants Program report in Inuktitut on the Qamanirjuaq caribou herd. The report has not found any significant change in levels of the contaminants monitored in the samples from 2018.
Northern contaminants program (2020)
study on advancing migration, calving dates for Qamanirjuaq caribou
This academic study says Qamanirjuaq caribou are migrating and calving earlier, matching earlier greening uo of calving grounds. The authors think this may show caribou are more resilient to climate change.
(2020)
Report to the Hunters of the Qamanirjuaq Caribou – Feb 2019
With the help of local hunters, we have been taking kidney, liver and muscle samples of Qamanirjuaq caribou since 2006. We collect these samples to study changes in the levels of contaminants in kidneys and livers of caribou. These contaminants may be carried to the Arctic by wind.
(2019)
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Beverly and QaminirjuaqBarren-groundPeopleContaminantsAbout BQCMB
This seven-minute video explains the work of the Beverley and Qamanirjuaq caribou management board. Suitable for older grades, perhaps from grades 6-12.
Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board (2019)
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Beverly and QaminirjuaqTactical departures and strategic arrivals: Divergent effects of climate and weather on caribou spring migrations
A 2019 academic paper that looks at factors affecting caribou migration timing and speed. The paper concludes that later arrival at calving grounds might indicate that females are in worse condition, and that calving and calf survival rates might be lower.
(2019)
Usage: Attribution Format: web
PorcupineBeverly and QaminirjuaqBathurstBluenose WestBluenose EastCape BathurstFortymileClimate changeBarren-ground Caribou Co-Management in the NWT
A 21-page booklet explaining the different responsibilities and authroities for managing all of the barren-ground caribou herds in the NWT. It includes information on responsibilities for herds that cross borders.
Government of the Northwest Territories (2019)
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Beverly and QaminirjuaqBarren-groundManaging huntingManaging predatorsRange managementSynopsis Report 2018/19 Arctic Caribou Contaminant Monitoring Program
This project studies contaminant levels in caribou in the Canadian Arctic to determine if these populations remain healthy (in terms of contaminant loads), whether these important resources remain safe and healthy food choices for northerners and if contaminant levels are changing over time.
(2019)
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PorcupineBeverly and QaminirjuaqPeopleContaminants2019 report to the hunters of the Qamanirjuaq herd - Inuktitut
2 page summary report to hunters of the Qamanirjuaq herd in Inuktitut reporting on research into contaminants in the herd.
(2019)
KEEYASK GENERATION PROJECT TERRESTRIAL EFFECTS MONITORING PLAN REPORT - CARIBOU WINTER ABUNDANCE ESTIMATE 2019
this 48 page report is part of a multi-year monitoring plan designed to assess the effects on caribou of construction and operation of the Keeyask hydro project. The project is on the Nelson River in Northeast Manitoba. The project area is used by the qamanirjuaq herd, as well as two herds of Eastern migratory caribou in the Hudson Bay region. The report concludes that it is difficult to tell what influence the project has had on caribou crossing affected water bodies, but that it appears construction access roads had minimal impacts on their movements.
(2019)
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Beverly and QaminirjuaqCape ChurchillSouthern Hudson BayRange managementHuman disturbancemercury in seaweed - inuktitut
This two-page plain language summary in Inuktitut talks about mercury in seaweed and other food eaten by caribou in the Qamanirjuaq herd.
(2018)
Mercury in Seaweed, Lichens and Mushrooms from the Home Range of the Qamanirjuaq Caribou
Qamanirjuaq caribou have higher mercury concentrations than many other Arctic caribou herds. Usually, caribou get most of their mercury from lichens, but local elders described the Qamanirjuaq caribou eating seaweed from the seashore. Since seaweed is known to accumulate some metals, it was hypothesized that the caribou may be getting additional mercury from this source.
(2018)
Cumulative Effects
This 10-minute video is part three of the "You can make a difference" video produced by the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board.
Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board (2017)
Report to the Hunters of the Kivalliq Region Contaminants in Qamanirjuaq Caribou – September 2017
With the help of local hunters, we have been taking kidney, liver and muscle samples of Qamanirjuaq caribou since 2006. We collect these samples to study changes in the amount of contaminants such as mercury and lead in kidneys of caribou. These contaminants may be carried to the Arctic by wind.
(2017)
Usage: Non-commercial with attribution Format: pdf
Beverly and QaminirjuaqBarren-groundPeopleContaminantsThe Importance of Harvest Reporting
This 8-minute video is part two of the "You can make a difference" video produced by the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board
Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board (2017)
SPECIES STATUS REPORT: Porcupine Caribou and Barren-ground Caribou
A lengthy NWT government Species at Risk assessment of barren-ground caribou and Porcupine caribou. It classifies the Porcupine caribou as “not at risk” in the NWT, and the other herds as “threatened” within the NWT. The assessment contains parallel tables that compare Indigenous and scientific knowledge on aspects of the caribou.
Government of the Northwest Territories (2017)
You Can Make a Difference - Caribou For the Future
This 23-minute video from 2017 was produced by the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board. It includes several clips featuring Indigenous people who rely on the caribou herds.
Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board (2017)
The Importance of Respectful Harvest
This 12 minute video is part one of the "You can make a difference" video produced by the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board.
Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board (2017)
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Beverly and QaminirjuaqManaging huntingPeopleHuntingCOSEWIC Assessment and Status Report on the Caribou (Rangifer tarandus), Barren-ground population in Canada - 2016
The 2016 assessment report on barren-ground caribou prepared by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Species in Canada (COSEWIC). It is a long, thorough and quite technical overview. It resulted in the Canadian populations of barren-ground caribou being designated “threatened” under the federal government system
Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) (2016)
Usage: Non-commercial with attribution Format: web
Beverly and QaminirjuaqBarren-groundManaging huntingManaging predatorsRange managementcaribou and community well-being (Gjoa Haven)
A web page with a variety of other resources centred on the link between the people of Gjoa Haven (Nunavut) and caribou. Resources on the page range from academic papers to a hand-drawn ink calendar showing the phases of local Inuit use of caribou.
Straight Up North (2016)
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Beverly and QaminirjuaqBarren-groundAhiakBathurstLorillardWager BayPeopleWhat Happened to the Beverly Caribou Herd after 1994?
A 2015 paper that argues that the Ahiak herd may have absorbed the Beverly herd.
(2015)
Caribou Hunt With Peter Suwaksiork
32 minute online video. Arviat elder Peter Suwaksiork and his son set out to find caribou. Along the way Peter tells stories about shamanism, traditional life, and the changes he has seen over the course of his lifetime. Includes footage of hunting and skinning caribou.
IsumaTV (2015)
Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Plan 2013-2022
A 117-page plan published in 2014, that lays out management for the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq herds. There are also shorter summary versions of this plan available on the management board's website.
Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board (2013)
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Beverly and QaminirjuaqManaging huntingManaging predatorsRange managementProject Caribou - Beverly and Qamanirjuaq
An educator's guide to wild caribou of North America
Yukon Department of Environment (2000)
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Beverly and QaminirjuaqA review of Fire Management on Forested Range of the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Herd of Caribou
This 1994 report from the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board discusses fire management issues on the forested part of the herds’ ranges.
Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board (1994)
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Beverly and QaminirjuaqCadmium in caribou and muskoxen from the Canadian Yukon and Northwest Territories
Cadmium, zinc, copper and metallothionein concentrations were measured in liver and kidney tissue of caribou and muskoxen collected from various sites in the Canadian Yukon and Northwest Territories. Cadmium concentrations in caribou tissues were substantially higher than in muskoxen for all age classes and were comparable to concentrations reported for caribou from northern Quebec and Norway.
Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) (1994)
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PorcupineBeverly and QaminirjuaqBarren-groundContaminantsEducation Resources and Teacher Tools: Caribou for the Future
These undated resources are focused on the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq herds, but a lot of the information would be transferable to other migratory herds. There are three poster/fact sheet/video units covering respectful harvesting, harvest reporting, and cumulative effects (of factors that influence caribou decline). There are also contests and other information for students that live in the caribou range.
Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board
FACT SHEET: Satellite collaring barren ground caribou
A 2-page fact sheet from the Government of the Northwest Territories explaining the use of radio collars on caribou.
Government of the Northwest Territories
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Beverly and QaminirjuaqBathurstBluenose WestBluenose East