The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-10-19
CAPTURING OF
ALASKAN SHEEP
Work of an Expedition to Sc
cure a Rare Species.
FIRST LAMB Is CAUGHT
In Spite of All Efforts 1t Pines
Away.
FIRST LAMB is CAUGHT

New ork Geological Society, which con
trols the Geological Park in the Bronx
gives in the bulletin of the society tht
following account of his trip to Alaska
whiteher he went in 1901 for the purpose
of procuring animals for the Geological
Park, and especially the Alaskan white
sheep, none Of which are as yet in cap
tivity. His experiences in the Alaskan
mountains were very interesting. and the
conditions under which he had and the
other members Of his party Iabored re-
CURED courage, skill and patience of a
high order
May TO- Mr.. Long said IN describing
the trip, found our camp pleasantly sit
uated north of the river on the level
floor of the Knik valley. at the junction of
two small streams and about two miles
from the mountains. BY cutting a few
trees and some brush an excellent view
was obtained, and I'VE were able to re-
main in camp and watch for sheep with
out alarming chem. The season was fully
month late and the mountains were
covered with deep snow 1t did not seem
possible that lambs could be born and
live under such conditions, and was
convinced that we were quite early
enough for our purposes.
The plan adopted to capture sheep was
to locate a band of ewes, and keep a
strict watch over them until lamb was
born and then attempt to catch it. From
the time we camped sheep were con-
stantly in sight, three to the westward
and three almost opposite US, but they
were too far distant to determine their
SEX
'On the mountains, some fifteen miles
eastward Of camp No. !, there appeared to
eb a spot quite free from snow ana
which looked as # it would be favored
by sheep as feeding grounds. Accord
tngly on may 16 we shouldered our packs
Of fifty pounds per man, left our base
camp, and set out for the more promising
locality. From our noon camp on fat
in the river bottom, which commanded a
good view Of the mountains across the
river, five sheep were seen feeding. AS
The mountains ahead seemed NOR prom
Using we continued our march and finally
went into camp for the night on the
bank Of a mountain stream
THE following day Hicks and Billy dis
covered a band of five ewes east of our
camp. This was good news, for we were
now situated midway between two bands
of five sheep each. Our plan was that
they should watch the sheep found by
them while Andrew and I attended to
those west of the camp.
For week we spent the entire time
at those lookout posts. watching the
bands Of sheep and hoping that lambs
seemed as if no living creature other
than a bird or a squirrel could possibly
secure footing where they stood But
several times, after hours of watching
of what seemed TO be lifeless crags, sheep
We're seen TO walk out of the crevices
as though from the solid rock"
"One day, not long afterward, return
ed to camp and found Hicks seated on
a log with a beautiful snow-white lamb
standing rather unsteadily in front of
him.
For some time after reaching the place
where he had seen the sheep, one eve
could not be found. An hour or so later
it walked out of a gulley among the
rocks, a lamb following. 1t was about
half mile above timber line. in the cen
ter of mass of rocks and crags. II
took the party an hour and a half TO
climb to the point where they were to
separate. Billy then followed the canon
TO the right of the sheep, while Hicks
made a detour to the left, intending to
get above them.
The plan was that Billy should creep
close 10 the lamb ana conceal himself.
while Hicks worked between ii and the
other sheep. Then, when they were out of
the sight behind the rocks, they would
scare them and Immediately advance on
the lamb. The plan worked admirably
Some hard climbing was necessary be-
fore Hicks reached a suitable position.
Rising, Hicks allowed them TO see him,
and an instant later they were bounding
up the mountain.
The lamb was ma narrow shelf, and
by creeping up from both sides they
blocked al chances of escape. 1t scam
pered back and forth but did not attempt
10 jump over the ledge They advanced
klowly and it Quoted down until at last
it ran into Binys ans and was cap
tive.
The specimen was male. a beautiful
little creature. not more tnan i day old.
IOlz inches high at the shoulders and
Weighing 81 pounds. He scsmpered about
with remarkable agility. Like all young
ungulateS. he stood with his feet braced
Well apart. and attempted TO jump over
obstacles instead OF going around them
AS he was warm, he waited before feed
ing him. and then gave him his irst
meal Of condensed milk. J. milk 10 ;,
water from a nursing bottle
Using poplar saplings. we made a cor
raj about ten feet square and placed
him an it. but he was not contented IN
less some one was near. Whenever 1 /
left. even for a minute. he ran back and
forth, humping his head against the bars.
bleatlng, aad attempting to jump out
At night made my bed in one corner. OF !
teh pen, ana. as I expected. he shared
ie He lay close TO my face, and FIRE
ouently shifted at il. At last. becoming /
sleepy, he closed his eyes. and at each /
throb OF his heart his head sank lower |
and lower. until il rested on my cheek.
It was a windy night. and at every /
strong blast, he awoke with start, ana /
smiled my face. bleaung frequently. !
could not move without disturbing him. |
end otter lay in one position until my /,
bones ached. I got little rest until five /
o clock in the morning, and then had not /
azsrs than an hours sleep with Little |