New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-19
CARIBOU FOR ALASKA.
THE REINDEER OF THIS CONTINENT
MIGHT BE USED IN THE TERRITORY.
SUPERIORITY OF TIE AMERICAN ANIMALS TO
sIBERM-SOME CARIBOU CHAR
ACTERISTICS.


1t has been fully demonstrated by many ex-
periments. that reindeer are adjuncts of the
highest value to Alaskan life The original
purpose for which the herds OF domestic rein
deer were brought into the territory from
Siberia was to provide food supply and
means of support for the natives. But with
the great thrush of godseekers has come the
need of adequate facilities for overland transpor
tation. and for this purpose the reindeer has
been found to be the animal prominently
adapted. Travelling with dogs and horses
makes necessary the carrying of food for them
but the reindeer. when turned loose, forages for
himself and manages to obtain his living from
the moss and lchcns. matter how frozen
the ground may be. Another advantage is that
the reindeer can travel from sixty to ninety
miles a day. while the dog team averages
usually not more than thirty miles.
The herds of reindeer that have been imported
into Alaska have been brought from Siberia and
Lapland. They have been trained to pulling
sledges and they accompanied by drivers
who thoroughly acquainted with the man
agement of them. II is the purpose of the Gov
eminent that the Esquimau or Indian natives
Of Alaska shall be taught to be reindeer team
sters, and the Laplanders have been found FAR
superior to the Siberians as instructors. In
caring for the Government herd at Teller sta
ton. Up to the present time about twenty Esqui-
maux have become skilled enough to be valuable
assis tants to the Lapps.
In talking Of the importation Of Siberian and
Lapland reindeer into Alaska. man who has
had d great deal of experience in hunting carl
bou in Labrador and Newfoundland made an
important suggestion the other day. He said 1t
seemed to him that. in time. the United
States might make use of the splendid rein
deer to be found in great herds on its own
continent. instead of sending to Europe and
Asia for inferior animals The difficulty in the
way Of putting this into practice Immediately
would be that the breaking and training OF the
deer requires long time The tanning must be
begun with the fawns when they not more
than three or four months old. and it would be
at least two years-probably two years and
half after that-before they would be strong
enough to put to the hard work of sledging. The
deer which are imported are brought here as
adults. trained TO their work. and thus supply
the immediate need
The animal known as the caribou in America
u q reindeer. There are certain specific differ
ences between him and the reindeer of Europe
and Asia, though to any but an expert these
differences are sight-scarcely greater. in fact,
than those which may be observed between the
caribou herds in the various parts Of this coun-
try. What difference there is Is decidedly in
favor Of the American animals even the poorest
Of these being superior TO those from abroad
According to the nature Of the ground over
which they roam. the caribou have been divided
into two great classes-those which live In the
woodland and those which make the Barren
Grounds their habitaton. The caribou Of the
Eastern part Of the continent all belong to the
woodland classes. Those found in Newfoundland
are the finest in the world. and there Is no COM
parison between them and the Lapland and
Siberian animals. 1t is a curious fact that while
the Newfoundland reindeer are remarkable for
their great size. strength and beauty. those OF
the neighbOring province Of Nova Scotia are
among the smallest on the continent. Their
horns also less spreading and their coats
are darker in color than those OF the herds In the
island Of the North The caribou of Labrador
differ slightly again from either Of the two
lust mentioned. and between the Nova
Scotian and Newfoundland animals in size. Few
deer cross the Strait OF Belle isle between New
foundland and Labrador. and thus the differ
ences between the species which live 80 near
together are maintained and perpetuated
The reindeer's ability to find food under the
most discouraging looking conditions Is wei
known to trappers and hunters but is marvel
to the unex oerienced. The thick, deep caribou
moss upon which ne lives is often buried under
two or tfsre. feet Of snow. but the animal paws
this away with his forefeet until he gets down
to the food beneath Where herd OF deer have
been feeding there will be great bare patches
Of ground left. from which the snow has been
removed as clearly as if done by snowplough
The woodland caribou are. as the hunters say