El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-07-22

these huge animals Ia giant species o.
seal. weighing 1000 pounds when ful
grownl do not really need protection
nearly all the existing rookeries being
on islands controlled for lighthouse pur
poses by the treasury department. Il
this were not so they would have beer
exterminated long ago for the sake o.
their skins and whiskers.
One Herd of Sea Elephants.
Only one herd of sea elephants re-
mains, numbering about $50, on Guada
lupe island, off the west coast of Mex
ico-the sole survivors of a once mighty
race which extended from Santa Bar
bara, Cal, down the shores OF South
America They are beautiful creatures
reaching length of 16 feet. Seven live
ones are now at the New York aqua
rum.
Happily, it appears that the walrus are
by no means so near to extinction as
has been supposed. Herds numbering
tens of thousands have recently been
seen, and reports Indicate that the species
is increasing numerically. Nevertheless
ruthless destruction of these valuable an
finals by whalers has brought death and
fearful suffering to many Eskimo, de-
pending as the latter largely do upon
the flesh of the wairus as food, its oil
for light and heat, its skin for covering
boats, its intestines for water proof
clothing, and its tusks and bones for
spear heads and many other useful ar
ticles. The biological survey from now
on will allow walrus huntin only from
May to July 1 in Boring sea and strait
north of the Kuskukwim river, and not
at all south of that stream until next
year. Natives, however, are permitted
to kill the beasts at any time for food
and clothing.
Few Sea Offers.
The sea otter is so near to extermina-
ton that not more than two or three
dozen of its skins are obtained annually
in all Alaska. But these are the most
valuable pelts in the world, BEING worth
about $1,000 apiece. Hunting for this
animal is carried on chiefly between
Chirikof and Tugidak islands, in central
Alaska. England, Russia, Japan and the
United States have agreed to protect it
on the high seas, beyond the three mile
limit, and, with the new regulation for
bidding the killing of it in the territory
until 1920. there seems to be hope for
the survival of the species.
The most valuable fur bearing. AQUATIC
mammal found in the interior waters of
Alaska is the beaver, which has been
hunted with such vigor that its final
extinction could not long have been de-
ferred. It's range covers all the main
land of the territorv except barren
strip along the Arctic ocean. The natives
catch beavers in steel traps at frequented
spots, or shoot them from concealed
places near the beaver houses or dams.
While other Alaska animals have been
recklessly exterminated, comparatively
little attention has been paid by hunters
to the hair seals, because they are not
fur bearers in a proper sense, and their
pelts have no market value worth men,
tioning. Thus today they are found all
along the coast of Alaska. in almost
countless numbers in some places-for-
tunately for the natives, to whom they
are of immense Importance. their flesh
and oil furnishing great quantities of
winter food. while their skins are highly
priced for boat covers, boot soles. trou-
sers, mittens, caps. etc. Incidentally. the
natives barter the meat, oil and hides
with interior tribes for furs and rein
deer products. Rene Bach.