hard it can be to find 200,000 caribou in
this massive landscape.
We were sad and frustrated when we
missed the caribou, but there are no
tangible consequences for us, simply
some missed photo opportunities and
disappointed editors. If the people of
the Arctic Village miss the caribou, they
struggle to feed themselves. If develop-
ment occurs in the calving grounds, then
what would they eat? How would that
affect their culture and community? It
is no wonder they have been laser-fo-
cused on protecting the caribou and their
calving grounds for decades.
These expeditions served more than
their intended purpose. Our team faced
many challenges, physically, emotion-
ally and with our photography and film-
making. We had to make snap decisions
in efforts to produce results, and we
encountered frustration and disap-
pointments. But we were fueled by our
passion for the Arctic National Wild-
life Refuge and our aim to tell some
of the fascinating stories within this
stunning region. OPSee more of Peter Mather’s work at
petermather.com. Learn more about
the International League of Conserva-
tion Photographers at conservation-
photographers.org.An arctic fox feeds on caribou
remains in the Arctic National Wildlife
Refuge. Photo by Peter Mather.The porcupine caribou herd number
around 200,000 and each summer
migrate north to the Arctic Ocean
on the longest mammal-based
migration route on the planet.
Their birthing grounds are referred
to as “the sacred place where life
begins.” Photo by David Thoreson.Two Gwich’in hunters take a break
after a successful porcupine caribou
hunt near Arctic Village, Alaska.
Photo by Justin Taus.
/outdoorphotographer.com June 2019 43