This program has been undertaken by the ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune – Secteur Faune Québec and the Wildlife Division of the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Environment and Conservation, which share the management of the George River herd. In its own monitoring program, Faune Québec also works closely with the Institute for Environmental Monitoring and Research and Hydro-Québec Production. These two organizations use the satellite data for their own environmental impact studies.

The Argos satellite system, jointly operated by the United States and France, allows researchers to detect, with an accuracy to within 150 metres (500 feet), locator beacons in the form of radio collars. These beacons transmit their position every four or five days. About seventy caribou from different migratory herds in Northern Québec have been outfitted with these satellite collars. Faune Québec has been tracking caribou in this manner since 1991, in cooperation with various partners, to improve the conservation and management of the huge northern caribou herds.

According to the 2001 census, the George River herd alone contained about 385 000 caribou, nearly 50% less than in 1993, while the Leaf River herd has more than doubled since 1991, up from 260 000 to 628 000 individuals.

Our research indicates, among other things, that Québec caribou can travel up to 6 000 kilometres (3 700 miles) per year in their search for food and shelter or to avoid wolves and insects. This incredible migratory journey of the Northern Québec caribou is unique among terrestrial animals all over the planet and one of the most spectacular wonders of the natural world—something that all nature lovers should experience at least once in their lifetimes.

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