Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge was established to conserve white-fronted geese, other waterfowl and migratory birds, moose, caribou, and furbearers; to fulfill treaty obligations; to provide for continued subsistence uses; and to ensure necessary water quality and quantity. Because the refuge is seldom visited by anyone other than subsistence users from the immediate area, those who do venture into Kanuti's backcountry will find unspoiled and virtually unused wildlands to rival those anywhere else in the world. These lands support a wide variety of wildlife. In addition to the large mammals mentioned above, wolverine, fox, porcupine, lynx, beavers, muskrats, marten and mink can be seen, as well as nearly 130 species of birds.
