Neria & Qassit caribou minimum count and herd structure in 2000, Paamiut, West Greenland. Technical Report No. 48

Caribou herd size, structure, recruitment and distribution in the Paamiut region 
were last investigated in 1995. To obtain information on current conditions, this 
study first documented local knowledge about the two caribou herds, Neria and 
Qassit, in the Paamiut region. Hunter interviews and community meetings were 
held. The knowledge gained structured the subsequent aerial reconnaissance for 
caribou minimum count, herd structure, autumn recruitment rates (calves/100 
cows) and distribution. 
The helicopter reconnaissance took place between 28 September and 4 October 
2000. As per local hunter instructions a series of spaghetti transects were flown 
over the ranges of Neria and Qassit herds. A fresh snow layer covered the terrain 
for all flights and greatly improved caribou sightability, since the presence of fresh 
tracks allowed rapid localization of actual animals.