Arctic Emerging Infectious Diseases (ArcticEID): Survey to Inform Emerging Disease Research in Inuit Nunangat

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, North Slave Region

Tags: wildlife monitoring, wildlife population

Principal Investigator: Henderson, Rita (2)
Licence Number: 17352
Organization: University of Calgary
Licensed Year(s): 2023
Issued: Oct 17, 2023
Project Team: Susan Kutz, Taya Forde, Jordan Bertagnolli, Sreejith Radhakrishnan, Fabien Mavrot

Objective(s): 1. Identify any potential, previously unknown unusual wildlife events (e.g. altered behaviour, population sizes, deaths etc.) in the Canadian Arctic 2. Understand what role, if any, other wildlife species may have in disease transmission 3. Understand how frequently these observations are reported

Project Description: This licence has been issued for the scientific research application No. 5629. Research Question: What unexpected or unusual changes in wildlife populations have researchers, community members, and professionals from various sectors observed while living or working in the Arctic? The main objectives are to: - Identify any potential, previously unknown unusual wildlife events (e.g. altered behaviour, population sizes, deaths etc.) in the Canadian Arctic - Understand what role, if any, other wildlife species may have in disease transmission - Understand how frequently these observations are reported NOTE: There is no legal obligation to report any abnormalities or penalties for not reporting Participation will involve completing a short, 15-min survey through a University of Calgary Qualtrics account or orally via telephone/Zoom. Participants will be given the option to participate in a follow-up interview if ne... Show moreeded (a modification for follow-up interviews will be submitted as necessary). Risks associated with this study are minimal and below those encountered in participants' day-to-day lives. The broader CINUK project involves numerous community and government stakeholders. The Ulukhaktok HTC is a co-investigator on this project, and the researchers work closely with Natural Resource Officers, wildlife biologists and technologists, wildlife veterinarians, harvesters, and local and territorial government. Interviews typically undergo member-checking and transcript review prior to finalization and distribution. The research group frequently engages in results-sharing trips in communities and presents findings at AGMs, HTC Board Meetings, and other meetings as invited. These researchers also prepare slideshow presentations, reports, and other materials to communicate with and present findings to involved stakeholders. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from: May 15 - December 31, 2023 Show less