Twin Islands Wildlife Sanctuary facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Twin Islands Wildlife Sanctuary |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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| Location | James Bay, Qikiqtaaluk, Nunavut, Canada |
| Area | 142,500 hectares |
| Established | 1939 |
The Twin Islands Wildlife Sanctuary is a special place in Nunavut, Canada. It's like a protected home for animals and nature. This sanctuary is found on the Twin Islands in central James Bay. These islands are called North Twin Island and South Twin Island.
This important area was officially made a sanctuary on May 2, 1939. It covers a huge space of 142,500 hectares. That's about 35,200 football fields! The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) calls it a Category IV protected area. This means it's managed mainly for keeping habitats and species safe.
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Why the Twin Islands are Special
The Twin Islands are not just a wildlife sanctuary. They are also known as a Canadian Important Bird Area (IBA). An IBA is a place that is super important for bird populations. It helps protect birds that might be rare or need specific places to live. The entire IBA is inside the wildlife sanctuary. This shows how vital the Twin Islands are for many different animals.
Animals Living Here
The Twin Islands Wildlife Sanctuary is a key home for several amazing animals. It provides a safe place for them to live, find food, and raise their young.
Polar Bears
polar bears are big, powerful hunters that live in the Arctic. They depend on the ice and cold waters to hunt seals. The sanctuary helps protect their habitat.
Walruses
walruses are large marine mammals with long tusks. They spend their time on ice floes and rocky beaches. The sanctuary gives them a safe place to rest and gather.
Canada Geese
Canada geese are well-known birds that fly south for the winter. They use the sanctuary as a safe spot for nesting and raising their goslings.
Semipalmated Plovers
semipalmated plovers are small shorebirds. They are known for their quick movements along the water's edge. The sanctuary's beaches are perfect for them to find food and build nests.
