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Many of the arctic creatures that inhabit the
island are part of a fragile eco-system under
the park's protection. The muskox, once brought
to the brink of extinction, now roam in winter
herds of 60 or more. Weighing up to 700 pounds,
with short legs, humped shoulders, and characteristic
down-curving horns, this relative of the goat
has keen senses that serve it well in the fight
for survival. Usually moving at a slow deliberate
pace, it can, when pressed, run and climb with
unexpected agility. During the relentless winter,
their ability to see well in near-darkness and
their inner wool coat beneath their matted shaggy
hair make endurance possible. When a frozen
crust hardens over two feet of snow covering
the meager vegetation, or a pack of wolves,
their only predator, descends upon them, only
their amazing will to survive sustains them
where other species would surely perish.
Like the muskox, the Peary
caribou and Arctic wolf populations are closely
monitored and studied by Canadian Wildlife Services.
The most northerly nesting sites of the rare
gyr-falcon, which winters as far south as Virginia,
can be found on the ledges around Lake Hazen
and fox, ermine, lemmings, polar bears and arctic
hare may approach a hiker with a disconcerting
lack of fear. Walrus, beluga and narwhal whales
can be spotted off the shores of the park and
over 30 species of birds Ò including long-tailed
jaegers, terns, geese, snowy owls, loons and
ducks regularly nest within the reserve.
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With an annual precipitation
of only 6 centimetres, about the same as generally
falls on the Sahara desert, Ellesmere Island
is truly a polar wasteland where willow sedges
barely stand above ground level. Only the thermal
effect around such areas as Lake Hazen provides
an environment that can support sufficient vegetation
to furnish food for the muskox, caribou and
hares, as well as nesting sites for the many
species of migrating birds. Although they cover
less than 2% of the land, by the end of July,
the landscape is carpeted with yellow arctic
poppies, white mountain avens, and red moss
campions above a mat of lichens and moss. The
effect is of a red, white and charcoal grey
mosaic of harmonious colour and breath-taking
beauty.
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