Aulavik National Park

Infobox_protected_area | name = Aulavik National Park
iucn_category = II

---

caption = Location of "Aulavik National Park" in Canada
locator_x = 79
locator_y = 48
location = Northwest Territories, Canada
nearest_city = Yellowknife, Sachs Harbour
lat_degrees = 74
lat_minutes = 01
lat_seconds = 21
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 119
long_minutes = 44
long_seconds = 29
long_direction = W
area = 12,200 km²
established = 1992
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
governing_body = Parks Canada

Aulavik National Park is a national park located on Banks Island in the Northwest Territories of Canada. It is known for its access to the Thomsen River, one of the most northerly navigable rivers in North America. The park is a fly-in park, and protects approximately 12,274 km². of Arctic lowlands at the northern end of the island. The most practical way to visit the park is to charter a plane. In 2005 the park had four landing sites. Aulavik is considered a polar desert and often experiences high winds. Precipitation for the park is approximately 300 mm per year. In the southern regions of the park a sparsely vegetated upland plateau reaches a height of 450 metres above sea level.

The park has the highest concentration of musk-oxen on earth, with estimates of 68,000 to 80,000 animals on the island, approximately 20% of which are thought to reside in the park. It is also home to the endangered Peary Caribou as well as the more common Barren-ground Caribou. The Ptarmigan and ravens are considered the only year-round birds in the park, although 43 different species make seasonal use of the area. The park is completely treeless, and arctic foxes, brown and Northern Collared Lemmings, Arctic hares and wolves roam the rugged terrain. Birds of prey in the park include snowy owls, rough-legged hawks, Gyr Falcons, and Peregrine Falcons, who feed on the lemmings.

Aulavik National Park has two major bays, Castel Bay and Mercy Bay, and lies south of the McClure Strait. Captain Robert McClure, spent two winters in Mercy Bay on HMS "Investigator", while searching for the missing Franklin Expedition between 1850 and 1853. McClure's team abandoned their ship in Mercy Bay and hiked across the sea-ice of the strait to board another ship, HMS Resolute.

ee also

*National Parks of Canada
*List of National Parks of Canada
*List of Northwest Territories parks

References

*Parks Canada

External links

* [http://pc.gc.ca/pn-np/nt/aulavik/index_e.asp Official site]