Polatouche
The place
Polatouche in the Gaspésie, Cap-Chat/Sainte-Anne-des-Monts area (Chic-Chocs, Quebec, Canada), at 618 m elevation, on the north slope of the Chic-Chocs. Continuous Quebec Chic-Chocs/SÉPAQ cluster (batches 234-358). A SÉPAQ refuge in Gaspésie National Park ("Polatouche" = the northern flying squirrel, Glaucomys sabrinus, a nocturnal Canadian glider covering 15-30 m between trees in the boreal alpine zone), in an area of balsam fir-yellow birch boreal forest + Rangifer tarandus, the Gaspésie caribou (the last caribou population south of the St. Lawrence, 30-40 individuals in 2024, a species facing imminent extinction, protected by the Quebec government since 2022) + heritage of the Mi'gmaq (Wolinak Restigouche 20,000, Listuguj Mégami'gi 700,000 km²).
The setting
Gaspésie Cap-Chat/Sainte-Anne-des-Monts Chic-Chocs Quebec Canada 618 m north slope, continuous cluster batches 234-358, SÉPAQ Gaspésie NP polatouche Glaucomys sabrinus flying squirrel nocturnal 15-30 m between trees boreal alpine, balsam fir-yellow birch boreal forest + Rangifer tarandus caribou last population south of St. Lawrence 30-40 2024 imminent extinction protected 2022 + Mi'gmaq Wolinak Restigouche 20,000 Listuguj Mégami'gi 700,000 km².
