TER29-Listening to muskoxen: addressing the health, ecology, and status of a ...

Muskoxen, an Arctic icon, and taxonomically unique species, often take backstage compared to caribou, their more numerous and widespread counterpart. Because of this, research on the health and ecology of muskoxen has often lagged behind that on caribou. Nevertheless, muskoxen are a key species for many Indigenous communities, providing socio-economic benefits and supporting food security. In recent years, however, muskox populations have been changing resulting in a surge of new Indigenous knowledge and scientific research. In some of its endemic range, muskox populations have recently experienced significant declines associated with emerging infectious and zoonotic diseases. In contrast, elsewhere, the muskox appears to be flourishing, driving concerns with respect to its impacts on caribou and other wildlife species. This session puts the muskox on centre stage and offers the opportunity to share current Indigenous and scientific knowledge on muskox health. 

Co-Chairs:

Erica Suitor, University of Calgary
Susan Kutz, University of Calgary