living

Fortunately, on our recent trip to
the Yukon we encountered a num-
ber of barren-ground caribou,
though most of them spend the
summer months on the wide open
tundra beyond the tree line. The
Eskimo call them ~Tuktu.”

While the species is found on
Baffin Island, Coats Island,

__Ungava, parts of northern Ontario

d northwestern Yukon, the larg-
est herds range the vast wildemess
of the northern central mainland.

@ These herds have been of great
social and economic importance,
particularly to the Indians and
Eskimo who share their broad
habitat.

The caribou flesh provided food
for man and dogs while the hides
were used for winter clothing and
summer tents.

Like the wildebeest of East
Africa, the barren-ground caribou
is a relentless nomad feeding very
selectively. They browse upon wil-
lows, birches and heaths and graze

@00n grasses and other forbs and
lichens in summer.

In the winter, they live largely
upon tree and ground lichens,

ee with twigs. Specific

erds tend to use the same summer
and wintering areas over periods of
many years, involving extensive
regular migrations which are
undoubtedly related to the availa-
bility of preferred food items.

a minimum of surface to the
sub-zero temperatures.

The very large hooves assist
them in traversing the soggy mus-
kegs of summer as well as the
snows of winter. They also serve as
efficient paddles when swimming

and as shovels for easily removing
the snows which bury the preferred
ground lichens during winter.

The sharp edges of the hooves
give them a good grip on the
smooth granite hills upon which
they so often forage.

The most characteristic gait of
the caribou is the smooth, high-
stepping, seemingly effortless trot
which is sheer poetry in motion.

They appear to float over the

‘Light, hollow winter hairs are so
closely spaced on the skin that the
pelage resembles a deep-pile rug’

+ Caribou, both physically and
behaviorly, are superbly adapted to
life in the north. Light, hollow
winter hairs are so closely spaced

@0 the skin that the pelage resem-
bles a deep-pile rug, providing
effective insulation against the
intensive cold of winter as well as
contributing buoyancy when cross-
ingopen water.

The body is compact with the
extremities (such as the tail and
muzzle) greatly reduced, exposing

terrain, the feet producing a char-
acteristic clicking sound as a ten-
don slips over a bone in the foot.
While both bulls and cows carry
antlers, those of the bull are a most
magnificent headpiece with the
impressive brow tine and the long
beams extending backward, each
having palmate ends and several
tines. These develop annually,
from March to September and are
shed again, after the rut, in
November or early December.

= =e =

BARREN-GROUND CARIBOU.

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MARY HAMPSON photo

Amazing characteristics of caribo. ==

With the early thaws of Apnil,
the cows which have spent the
winter in the unpacked snows
below the tree line, become rest-
less and begin to congregate on
larger frozen lakes from which
they begin their northward migra-
tion. While the larger lakes are still
ice-bound, rapidly melting snows
have produced thousands of rivu-
lets and swiftly swelling streams.

Historically, when populations
were high, an observer could stand
at a point along their route and
witness the passage of many thou-
sands in a single day. The cows
reach the distant calving ground,
perhaps 800 miles to the north,
and give birth to their offspring
throughout June.

Unfortunately, barren-ground
caribou, which once numbered in
millions, are now reckoned in
hundreds of thousands. Their
major problems are the efficient
rifle and the vast fires which
destroy so much of their winter
food habitat.

Keith Alexander, Bradley Dyne,
reports a chukar in his area. There
is no mistaking this small chicken-
like bird with its red beak and legs,
prominent black splashes along
the flanks and light throat bor-
dered entirely with a conspicuous
black line.

This species has been intro-
duced to the southern mainland of
B.C.

Mr. Halar, Blue Heron Road,
reports the accipiter-like behavior
of a young peregrine which flew
up and down a line of trees,
flushing smaller birds as it flew.

Fishing gear gone

Two fishing rods and reels were
stolen from a boat parked in the
driveway of a home on Ocean
Avenue sometime overnight July
3-4, police said.

One rod was a Peetz and all the
equipment taken is valued at $150.

ae
Make every a

: Birthday and ,
i, Anniversary a Z
: celebration. a
3 Flowers a
say it best! a

#
Se Horget-Me-Not +

Florists and Gift Shop

ge, Pa 652-9149 CP) a
on SH PENASULA HOSPRALt

ee #57016 E. SAANICH RD. |
; NEXT TO OAKREST FOOD
ho see é

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LEISURE, CENTRE,

Fall Program Reeicnation CammneNCce

e Saturday, August 18 at 9:00 am for
Sidney and North Saanich Residents

e Sunday, August 19 at 9:00 am for
Neighbouring Communities

Call 656-7271 for program information

TheReview

It teaches:

“There can be no doubt whatever, that
the people of the world, of whatever
race or religion derive their inspiration

Baha!
0

Fait from one Heavenly Source and are the

subjects of one God.”

For further reading material and/or
contact Bahai community. Please cali. . .

656-3599 656-0601 652-5922

heenemi = 2 eras

Wednesday, August 8,1996 — Ais

richard j. wey

B.C. Land Surveyor
Legal, Engineering and Topographical Surveys Subdivision Planning

is pleased to announce that effective August Ist,
his office will be relocated te:

The Oakville

Suite 106, 9717 Third Street
Sidney, B.C V8L 3A3
Telephone 656-5155

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