What do Wildlife Refuges protect caribou from?
In the U.S., the National Wildlife Refuge System preserves a national network of lands and waters for the conservation and management of fish, wildlife and plants for the benefit of present and future generations. There are currently over 500 different wildlife refuges. Refuge lands are legally protected from activities and developments which are harmful to wildlife or their habitat. Human activities which are compatible with refuge purposes are allowed on wildlife refuges. In Alaska, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge protects the primary calving grounds and some of the wintering areas of the Porcupine caribou herd, one of the major caribou herds in North America. How can caribou travel in the cold and on ice? Caribou are well equipped to survive in cold, snowy places. In winter, their hair is about three inches long. This winter hair is hollow inside, to trap air and keep warmth near their bodies. This hollow hair also helps the caribou to cross rivers and lakes after spring thaws,
