Migration patterns

Wapusk National Park

What are the migration patterns of the Cape Churchill herd?

The herd spends winters in the southwestern portion of Wapusk National Park's boreal forest and in nearby areas like the Churchill Wildlife Management Area and beyond, to shelter from the harsh winter climate.

In the summer months, they migrate nearly 200 kilometres to Cape Churchill to have calves. That’s a distance longer than 3,000 hockey rinks!

Action: Other than in Wapusk National Park, what other national parks in Canada protect caribou? What are the herds called? Check the Parks Canada website and write them down!

 

 

So why do caribou migrate?

  • Caribou migrate for food, shelter, to each calving areas, and to avoid predators.
  • During the winter, the caribou tend to eat arboreal lichen. That’s lichen that grows on the branches of trees. Rather than digging through the deep snow to get at lichen on the ground, caribou use the snow as a sort of stool to elevate them and reach lichen growing on trees above.
  • The caribou then migrate to the tundra near Cape Churchill during the summer to have their babies, called calves. The space where they give birth is called their calving grounds.
An illustration of Parks Canada mascot Parka snowshoeing in snow.

 

Action: Can you think of other reasons why caribou, in general, migrate?

  • Would they want to have their babies (calves) in open windy locations? Why?
  • Is food available at both locations?
  • Where would food be more located in and why?
  • Could they be moving because of predators? What kinds?

New season, new hair

  • The hair that covers the body of a caribou is called their pelage. Pelage changes colour as the seasons change and is darkest during the summer.

 

An illustration of Parks Canada mascot Parka with a thoughtful expression and a lightbulb next to her head.

 

 

Parka Fact

Caribou herds often get their names based on the location of their calving grounds. Hence how the Cape Churchill herd were named!

 

 

 

 

 

Migration Map

A map of Canada with 10 different caribou populations denoted according to their range. 28 Parks Canada sites with a caribou presence are also identified.
An illustration of Parks Canada mascot Parka looking through binoculars.

 

Take a look at all the different caribou populations in Canada and where they live.

Can you find Wapusk National Park?

 

Cape Churchill Herd Migration Map

A map of northeastern Manitoba including Wapusk National Park. The legend includes summer grounds, identified along the Hudson Bay coast, and winter grounds inland to the west. A dotted line identifying the migration area is also included.

 

 

 

 

 

Take a look at the yearly migration of the Cape Churchill herd.

Pictures of Wapusk National Park

An aerial view of land with several small bodies of water.
An aerial view of a snowy landscape with evergreen trees.
A small building inside a fence during a starry night.
An aerial view of land with groves of evergreen trees.
A body of water reflecting the clouds in the sky.
A snowy landscape.
A sign for Wapusk National Park.

 

Activity: Let’s migrate like the caribou!

In your classroom, gym or outside, identify areas that signify a season. One for summer, one for fall, one for winter and one for spring.

Move around the seasons and act as a caribou! What would you be doing in each season? Here’s a reminder:

Summer

  • On the tundra in Wapusk National Park.
  • Eat grasses and small shrubs – use your antlers.
  • Cows travel further to calving grounds areas to give birth, while males stay further behind.
  • Cows shed their antlers in June.
  • There are many mosquitos at this time, huddle together to escape them!
  • Wolves and polar bears may be around, hide!

Fall

  • Migrate to the boreal forest (200km) – you’ll be tired and moving in herds!
  • Males shed their antlers.

Winter

  • Stay in the boreal forest for the winter.
  • Eat their favourite meal – lichen.
  • Shelter from the harsh subarctic winter climate.
  • Migrate to calving grounds.
  • Wolves may be following, make sure you keep an eye out.

Spring

  • On the tundra.
  • Bulls' antlers begin growing.

 

 

An illustration of Parks Canada mascot Parka drawing with a pencil.

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