Migration routes for the George River Caribou Herd
For nearly 40 years, caribou have been an important focus for research and management for the Wildlife Division in Labrador. The Division continues to monitor several populations in the region, particularly the George River herd. Here is some pertinent information on these caribou populations:
| Taxonomically, all caribou in Labrador are classified as woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) although some populations (such as the George River herd) exhibit migratory patterns typical of barren-ground caribou. |  |
The George River herd is currently the largest caribou herd in the world. In 1993, the population was estimated at 776,000 animals (with a margin of error of +13%).
| The population exhibited impressive increases in numbers since the 1950's. From the first survey in 1954, the herd was estimated at only 4,700 animals. Through the 1960's and 1970's, the herd grew at an exponential rate and by 1984 the population had reached an estimated 472,000 animals. Nowhere have scientists witnessed such dramatic growth of a caribou herd: for every animal in the George River herd 40 years ago, there are perhaps 100 today. |
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All natural populations, however, have limits to growth. For the George River herd, rates of both productivity and survival have slowed since the early 1980's and the herd has reached a plateau at its current size. The cause of the cessation in population growth, at least in part, appears to stem from the effects of grazing and trampling on the herd's summer range, particularly the calving grounds.
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Fluctuations of the magnitude are probably characteristics for this herd. From historic records, it is apparent that caribou in the Ungava region were abundant circa 1750-1820 and 1870-1880. Nevertheless, by 1920, it is clear that caribou in Labrador were extremely rare. |
A typical annual cycle begins with spring migration, led by pregnant females, from the winter grounds in the taiga to calving grounds on tundra plateau. These traditional calving grounds, spanning the Quebec-Labrador border, appear to afford protection by means of their distance from wolf denning locations. After calving in early June, animals tend to form dense post calving aggregations (up to 100,000 animals in a group) during July-August; this behavior may be largely a response to harassment by biting insects. By fall, caribou begin their trek to the wintering grounds, usually in the western part of the range, but also along the Labrador coast. The rates of movement (about 20 km per day) are often greatest at this time. Mating (called the 'rut') takes place en route. Generally, animals are more sedentary during the winter months. Rates of movement decline to about 5 km per day or less during periods of snow over.
| The movement patterns of an individual caribou are impressive. Typically an adult female will traverse about 4,000 km during the course of the year. These patterns are variable, however. During 1992-93 to 1994-95, for example, George River caribou have overwintered in substantial numbers along the northern coast of Labrador. |  |
The herd's range covers an immense area, about 700,000 square kilometers, an expanse that comprises much of northern Labrador and Quebec. The area occupied by the herd expanded dramatically during the 1960's and 1970's, paralleling the exponential increases in animal numbers.
Currently, the harvest from the George River population totals about 36,000 animals (5% of the herd), shared about equally between Quebec and Labrador, aboriginals and non-aboriginals.
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There are several smaller populations of woodland caribou in Labrador. These animals are of the woodland ecotype, and they adopt a much different life history strategy. They exhibit limited movements, remain in the taiga year round, and disperse at calving time in spring. In Labrador, all such populations exists at very low densities (about 0.02 caribou per square kilometer or 1 animal for every 50 square kilometers). |
The ranges of these sedentary herds form a nearly-contiguous band across southern Labrador. They include, from east to west, the Mealy Mountain herd (233 animals), The Red Wine herd (150 animals). All these populations appear to be declining. They are probably regulated by predation by wolves and black bears, but they are also extremely prone to overharvest. There is no legal hunt of these herds in Labrador by non-aboriginal people.
Another smaller migratory caribou population, the Torngat Mountain herd,
occupies the extreme northern part of the region. Although the population has not been
systematically surveyed, cursory inspection of them suggests that there are 5,000 to
10,000 animals in this herd.
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