Twin Islands Wildlife Sanctuary
Encyclopedia
The Twin Islands Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary in Qikiqtaaluk, Nunavut
, Canada
. It is located in the Twin Islands
, including North Twin Island and South Twin Island
, within central James Bay
.
The wildlife sanctuary received its designation on 2 May 1939 and has an area of 142,500 hectares (35,200 acres). It is classified as Category IV by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
; the IBA is within the wildlife sanctuary.
, Canada Goose
, and Semipalmated Plover
.
Nunavut
Nunavut is the largest and newest federal territory of Canada; it was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999, via the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, though the actual boundaries had been established in 1993...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It is located in the Twin Islands
Twin Islands (Nunavut)
The Twin Islands are similarly shaped Arctic islands in the Qikiqtaaluk Region of Nunavut, Canada. They are located in central James Bay, north east of Akimiski Island, and west of Quebec. The group includes North Twin and South Twin islands.-Geography:Approximately separate the two islands...
, including North Twin Island and South Twin Island
South Twin Island (Nunavut)
South Twin Island is an uninhabited Arctic island located east of Akimiski Island toward the center of James Bay. The larger, similarly-shaped, North Twin Island is located approximately 10 km northwest. South Twin Island has more mossy tundra and fewer trees than North Twin Island...
, within central James Bay
James Bay
James Bay is a large body of water on the southern end of Hudson Bay in Canada. Both bodies of water extend from the Arctic Ocean. James Bay borders the provinces of Quebec and Ontario; islands within the bay are part of Nunavut...
.
The wildlife sanctuary received its designation on 2 May 1939 and has an area of 142,500 hectares (35,200 acres). It is classified as Category IV by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Other designations
The Twin Islands are also classified as a Canadian Important Bird AreaImportant Bird Area
An Important Bird Area is an area recognized as being globally important habitat for the conservation of bird populations. Currently there are about 10,000 IBAs worldwide. The program was developed and sites are identified by BirdLife International...
; the IBA is within the wildlife sanctuary.
Fauna
The sanctuary is an important habitat for Polar BearPolar Bear
The polar bear is a bear native largely within the Arctic Circle encompassing the Arctic Ocean, its surrounding seas and surrounding land masses. It is the world's largest land carnivore and also the largest bear, together with the omnivorous Kodiak Bear, which is approximately the same size...
, Canada Goose
Canada Goose
The Canada Goose is a wild goose belonging to the genus Branta, which is native to arctic and temperate regions of North America, having a black head and neck, white patches on the face, and a brownish-gray body....
, and Semipalmated Plover
Semipalmated Plover
The Semipalmated Plover is a small plover.This species weighs and measures in length and across the wings. Adults have a grey-brown back and wings, a white belly, and a white breast with one black neckband...
.