Understanding emerging infectious diseases of muskoxen, through wildlife health surveillance with local tourism operators

The emergence and expansion of diseases in wildlife in the Arctic is of growing concern to Inuit communities. Wildlife health surveillance is challenging in remote regions, and therefore it is important to draw on different sources of knowledge including local ecological knowledge, and traditional knowledge. In this project we aim to implement wildlife health surveillance in partnership with tourism operators in Nunavut. Using Arctic Watch and Canada North Outfitters operations we will conduct wildlife health surveillance, while engaging their clients in wildlife health research and conservation. The partner organisations will benefit from this project by being able to expand what they can provide in their guests’ experiences, and their staff will gain new skills in wildlife health research and conservation. This project will also contribute to our understand of factors associated with health muskox populations, which is of benefit to the tourism operators and local communities alike.

Faculty Supervisor:

Susan Kutz

Student:

Partner:

Arctic Watch Beluga Foundation;Weber Arctic Expeditions;Canada North Outfitting

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Other services (except public administration)

University:

University of Calgary

Program: