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The Canadian Wildlife Service of Environment Canada establishes and manages
National Wildlife Areas to conserve essential wildlife habitats.
These areas consist of land or water areas, with coastal waters
extending out to twelve nautical miles from shore. While most human
activities are prohibited in these areas, permits can be issued
for activities that are compatible with conservation.
In Nunavut, the establishment of these areas depends on co-operative
management between the Federal and Nunavut governments, and the Inuit.
There are two National Wildlife Areas in Nunavut: Nirjutiqavvik
and Polar Bear Pass.
Nirjutiqavvik National Wildlife Area protects Coburg
Island (just south of Ellesmere Island) and surrounding water areas. This
wildlife area is one of the most important seabird nesting areas in the
Canadian Arctic, providing nesting grounds for up to 385,000 birds, notably,
Thick-billed Murres, Black-legged Kittiwakes, Northern Fulmars, and Black
Guillemots. The surrounding waters provide important habitat for Polar
Bear, Ringed Seals, Bearded Seals, Walrus and migrating Narwhal and Beluga.
Polar Bear Pass National Wildlife Area runs across Bathurst
Island connecting Queens Channel to Graham Moore Bay. Polar Bear Pass
was established primarily to protect an important terrestrial wetland
ecosystem. The pass is a key travel route for polar bears during spring
and summer. This wildlife area is also an important wetland nesting area
for 30 species of birds, including King Eider, Greater Snow Goose, Thayer's
Gull, Parasitic, Long-tailed, and Pomarine Jaegers, Red Phalarope, Sanderling
and Black-bellied Plover. The area also provides habitat for terrestrial
and marine mammals such as lemmings, Arctic Fox, Muskox, Peary Caribou,
Ringed Seal and Walrus.
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