Some Health Parameters in Two Populations of Ringed Seals in Eastern Nunavut (2016-2018)

The ringed seal (Pusa hispida) is a very important wildlife resource for many Inuit communities in Canada. Through funding from Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Coastal Environmental Baseline Program and from the Nunavut Research Institute in partnership with Irving Shipbuilding Inc., information on various parameters of animal health was gathered between 2016 and 2018 in two populations of ringed seals (Eclipse Sound and Frobisher Bay) in eastern Nunavut. In collaboration with local Inuit hunters, tissue samples were collected to determine the concentrations of some essential and non-essential trace elements (including cadmium and mercury). Blood samples were also collected to determine the presence of antibodies against some pathogenic microorganisms of potential public health significance. This information will contribute to ensuring the continuous and safe use of ringed seals as a highly nutritious source of food for Inuit communities.