Polar Bear Pass National Wildlife Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Polar Bear Pass National Wildlife Area |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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| Location | Bathurst Island, Qikiqtaaluk, Nunavut, Canada |
| Area | 2,675 km2 (1,033 sq mi) |
| Established | 1985 |
| Designated: | 24 May 1982 |
| Reference #: | 245 |
The Polar Bear Pass National Wildlife Area is a special protected place in Canada. It's located on Bathurst Island in Nunavut, a northern territory. This area is called "Polar Bear Pass" because it's a key spot for polar bears and other Arctic animals. It's like a safe home for them.
What is Polar Bear Pass?
Polar Bear Pass is a type of protected land called a National Wildlife Area. These areas are created to protect important habitats for wildlife. This means they keep the land and water safe for animals to live, find food, and raise their young.
Where is it located?
This wildlife area is found far north in Canada. It's on Bathurst Island, which is part of the Qikiqtaaluk Region in Nunavut. To the north and west of Polar Bear Pass, you'll find Qausuittuq National Park. This shows that a lot of land in this area is protected.
Why is it important?
Polar Bear Pass became a federally protected area on January 1, 1985. It covers a huge space, about 2,675 square kilometers (1,033 square miles). A part of this area, about 214 square kilometers (83 square miles), is made up of ocean water. This includes areas where the land meets the sea (intertidal zones) and shallow underwater areas (subtidal zones).
This area is also recognized internationally as a Ramsar site. A Ramsar site is a wetland of international importance. This means it's a very special place for birds and other wildlife that depend on wetlands. Polar Bear Pass was given this important status on May 24, 1982.
Who protects this area?
The land in Polar Bear Pass is federal Crown land. This means it belongs to the Canadian government. The area is looked after by the Canadian Wildlife Service. This service is part of Environment Canada, a government department that works to protect nature. They make sure the rules of the Canada Wildlife Act are followed.
The way the land is used also follows the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. This agreement helps make sure that the rights and interests of the Inuit people of Nunavut are respected in how the land is managed.
