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Bear Poo and You: learning about Yukon Bears with the OURS research project

Bear Poo and You: learning about Yukon Bears with the OURS research project

People say there’s more than one way to skin a cat but there’s also more than one way to survey a bear. One of those ways is through their scat! Operation Ursus Research using Scat is doing exactly this and you can be a part of it. Learn how these surveys are conducted, why they’re important, and how you can help improve our knowledge of Yukon bears by collecting their poo.

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Rusty Blackbird: the mysterious decline of a common boreal bird

Rusty Blackbird: the mysterious decline of a common boreal bird

The aptly named Rusty Blackbird is regular fixture in the boreal forest and can often be spotted in wetlands and hanging out by slow moving streams. Until recently, very little was known about this opportunistic water-loving bird but as we learn more about them, we’ve also learned that their populations are in decline. What’s causing this drop in Rusty Blackbird numbers? We’re not entirely sure. Read on to learn how scientists are using modern
technology and recent discoveries to help unravel this mystery. Written by Pam Sinclair in conjunction with Joelle Ingram

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Winter Heat Losses

Winter Heat Losses

15 minute read - This is Part 2 of a 4 part series by guest author and ecologist, Joshua Robertson on how wildlife at the Yukon Wildlife Presere stays warm (thermoregulates) in the winter. Read Part 1. The article was edited on March 15, 2021 to update heat loss...

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Staying Warm in Yukon

Staying Warm in Yukon

10 minute read -  This is Part 1 of a 4 part series by guest author and ecologist, Joshua Robertson on how wildlife at the Yukon Wildlife Presere stays warm (thermoregulates) in the winter. In the south of the Yukon, winter has long since settled in. Snow has...

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Love for the Lynx

Love for the Lynx

While the ungulates have already gone through their languages of love the carnivores are just getting started!
It’s a great time to hear the courtship calls from the lynx, arctic fox and red foxes. While the two species of foxes are the same gender (red foxes – males, arctic foxes – females), our lynx group consists of a male and two females and all three lynx will remain in the habitat together this season.

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Language of Love

Language of Love

15 minute read and listen - With Valentine’s Day around the corner, we all have love on the brain... at least us humans do. Here at the Preserve the ungulates have already gone through their respective courtship rituals back in the fall. Nonetheless, it seems like a...

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Leaps and Bounds “Winter is Here”-Lynx

Leaps and Bounds “Winter is Here”-Lynx

9 minute read - “Winter Is Here” series continues with the elusive enigma – Lynx! I, for one, love winter. What a unique time of year it is to be able to get outside in the short but cherished sunlight hours or total darkness for a hike, ski, or skate, then get inside...

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Welcome to the Neighbourhood!

Welcome to the Neighbourhood!

Many Yukoners opt to live out of town to take full advantage of the space and solitude the territory has to offer. However, there are some perks to urban living: shorter commutes, general ease of access, and all the bugs you can eat! That last one might only appeal to one of the tiniest urban enthusiast: the endanger little brown bat.

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Bat Talk: How do you listen to what you can’t hear?

Bat Talk: How do you listen to what you can’t hear?

Nights in the Yukon wilderness have a complex wildlife chorus. If you’re fortunate, you can hear the hoot of an owl, the howls of coyotes, the high frequency ultrasonic buzz of bats. Okay, you might not actually hear that last one. This article will show you we can use technology to pick up on bat sounds that our ears can’t catch.

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A Convocation of Eagles

A Convocation of Eagles

What do the dates; August 7th, September 21st, and October 20th have in common?  Well, each of these days the Yukon Wildlife Preserve’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre received a new patient, with each of those being an eagle. It started with the Golden Eagles arrival from Watson Lake, followed by a Bald Eagle from Jake’s Corner, and another Bald Eagle from Mayo.  While an arrival of an animal into the centre for care by the team at the Preserve isn’t distinctive, it is unusual to receive an influx of eagles in the fall. 

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A Beginner’s Guide to iNaturalist:

A Beginner’s Guide to iNaturalist:

Got a case of the isolation blues? Me too. How about we go outside? One of the great advantages of
living in the Yukon is we have a lot of easily accessible green spaces we can enjoy while safely distancing
ourselves from others. But what’s living in those spaces?
The iNaturalist app is essentially a biodiversity encyclopedia that helps you connect with the species in
your own backyard. With the aid of this app you can go out explore, learn new things, and get a little
fresh air while you’re at it.

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1 Mosquito, 2 Mosquito . . .

1 Mosquito, 2 Mosquito . . .

The Yukon is home to a wonderful array of biodiversity! During every season, the territory plays host to a dazzling range of wildlife both large and small from rare migratory birds to our hearty full-time megafauna. One group of creatures that really helps highlight the diversity that can be found in our territory is… the mosquito! I bet you didn’t see that coming.

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Yukon Wildlife Preserve
Box 20191
Whitehorse, Yukon
Y1A 7A2

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