Just 70 years ago, the muskox
was on the brink of extinction, its numbers
depleted by hide hunters, whalers and explorers.
Today, the park is home to a thriving population
of more than 80 000 muskoxen whose shaggy hunched
appearance may convey the false impression of
bovine docility. The muskox is not the only
arctic animal roaming the park’s maze of
valleys. Approximately 750 of the endangered
sub-species of Peary caribou pass through each
year as they migrate between their wintering
grounds and summer calving grounds. Two species
of lemmings, the arctic fox, hare, ermine and
wolf enjoy 24-hour sunshine in summer, then
face the winter's icy darkness. Marine animals
seen along the north coast include the ringed
seal, bearded seal, beluga whale and polar bear.
In summer, birdlife is plentiful with over 40
species of bird having been recorded. The Banks
Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary, a designation
that applies to the Castel Bay and the lower
region of the Thomsen River Valley protects
Brant and lesser snow geese sedge meadow molting
habitat. Peregrine falcons, gyrfalcons, rough-legged
hawks and snowy owls are the most common birds
of prey. The sandhill cranes, Sabine’s
gulls, terns, long-legged Jaegers, Lapland longspurs
and the red phalarope nest in the park, but
only the raven, two species of ptarmigan and
a few snowy owls remain to brave the dark winter.
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