Parc national Tursujuq protects the habitat of a mysterious subspecies of harbour seal: the Lacs des Loups Marins subspecies. The seal called qasigiaq by the Inuit and achikunipi “freshwater seal” by the Cree is fully adapted to life in freshwater. After the last glaciation, the post-glacial rebound of the land mass and fluvial erosion have created impassable barriers, like the multiple impressive waterfalls along the Nastapoka River. The once “marine” mammal is now entrapped up to 250 km inland within the intricate lake system of the park. Nunavik Parks in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is working on enhancing knowledge about the genetic diversity, and the distribution within the park of this endangered subspecies. Since 2019, we carry out an annual campaign searching for the seal DNA in the water of the lakes. Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a powerful tool to detect the presence of given species, especially when those are hard to detect otherwise because of their elusiveness and the complexity and remoteness of their habitat.
This August 2022, we sampled 11 locations, including two new locations at both Lac Bourdel and Lac Minto. The team had the rare chance to observe one very curious seal at Lac Bourdel, and to snap a few good pictures; we were in awe. Stay tuned for more news about the eDNA results! Park’s warden Johnny Kasudluak, park’s biologist Isabeau Pratte, wildlife officers Marc Lemay and Joey Nolet @MFFP-DPF, praise to our pilot Pierre Guernier from Nunavik Rotors. Photos: Isabeau Pratte, Mark Lemay
