Western Arctic
Birthing Grounds for  Alaska’s Largest Caribou Herd

Utukok River Uplands

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Western Arctic Utukok River Uplands
The 7 million acre Utukok River Uplands Special Area spans from the foothills of the mighty Brooks Range Mountains through vast stretches of tundra and on toward coastal wetlands. As the main calving grounds for America's largest caribou herd, this area is critical to the continued way of life for over 40 subsistence communities.

Arctic communities  are not the only hunters on these lands, as the Uplands also support the highest concentration of grizzly bears in the Arctic. Alongside the grizzly bear you will also find wolverines, moose, raptors, and wolves, each carving out a living from the rich landscape of the Utukok River Uplands.

At a glance:

  • 7 million acres
  • Western Arctic Caribou Herd: 235,000 animals
  • Highest grizzly bear density in the Arctic
  • Important hunting grounds for Alaskan Native subsistence villages
  • Largest Special Area in the Western Arctic
  • Home to the largest caribou herd in America

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Special Areas

Teshekpuk Lake
Colville River
Utukok River Uplands
Peard Bay
​Kasegaluk Lagoon

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  • Home
  • Special Areas
    • Overview
    • Teshekpuk Lake
    • Colville River
    • Utukok River Uplands
    • Peard Bay
    • Kasegaluk Lagoon
  • Story of the Western Arctic
    • A Way of Life
    • Wildlife
    • Wild Lands
    • Threats
  • Further Resources
    • Maps and Reports
    • In The News
  • Take Action
  • Contact