Nirjutiqavvik National Wildlife Area, National Wildlife Area on Coburg Island, Qikiqtaaluk Region, Canada
Nirjutiqavvik is a protected area on Coburg Island and surrounding Arctic marine waters in Canada's far north. The site supports large populations of seabirds, marine mammals, and other Arctic wildlife in this remote location.
The Canadian government established this protected area in 1995 to safeguard major seabird and marine mammal populations in the Arctic. This designation marked an important step in securing this fragile Arctic environment for the long term.
The name Nirjutiqavvik comes from the Inuktitut language and means "the place of animals," reflecting the deep connection between local wildlife and Inuit communities. This relationship with nature remains alive today in how people understand and relate to this land.
Access requires permission from Environment and Climate Change Canada, though Inuit from Nunavut retain traditional hunting and gathering rights. Visitors should prepare for extreme Arctic conditions, limited accessibility, and minimal infrastructure.
Lady Ann Strait contains a permanent polynya, an area of year-round open water within the ice. This natural phenomenon creates a gathering point where thousands of animals come to feed and drink.
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