Environment
The cows are calving: Beverly caribou herd grows by 50K
Number of adult females also up and more are having calves, says recent study involving YKDFN
The Beverly herd grew by approximately 50,000 animals between 2018 and 2023, the main reason likely due to a significant increase in its size in adult female caribou.
There were 88,236 adult females in 2023, up from 61,070 in 2018, says the most recent Beverly Calving Ground Survey Report.
Note that not all adult females give birth annually, so the number of breeding females in 2023 were estimated at 69,900, says the report, which involved members of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation.
The total Beverly herd is estimated at 152,131 adults.
Yearly population estimates:
- 1994 – 276,000
- 2011 – 136,608
- 2018 – 103,372
- 2023 – 152,131
The report offers a couple of explanations for the increase.
The cows are really interested and able in producing calves. In other words, lots of calves were born in recent years resulting from more cows being pregnant annually.
Another explanation is movement from other herds. There is evidence of caribou moving into the Beverly calving range from neighboring herds (Bathurst and Ahiak).
