The Coolidge examiner., 1931-11-27

the large mammals in North America, according
to Paul G. Redngton, chief of the United States
biological survey. At the time of the earliest
exploration of the Arctic musk-oxen inhabited
the vast territory north of the great transcon-
tinental forest roaming from the northwestern
shores of Hudson bay to the Mackenzie river
and most of the Arctic islands and north
ern Greenland. They formerly existed in some
numbers in northern Alaska. There seems to be
no authentic records of their occurrence within
the territory since its exploration by Europeans
though some of the natives state that their
grandfatherS killed them in the region south of
Point Barrow and their skulls and other bones
are still occasionally picked up the tundra.
1t seems probable that the relatively small
areas north of the tree limit could not support
sufficient numbers to withstand the demands
made them by the surrounding natives Musk
oxen also disappeared long ago from northern
Europe and Asia. Fortunately they have per-
sisted to the present time in limited numbers in
northern Canada eastern Greenland and some
of the Arctic islands, though they are much
reduced from their former numbers. The Cana
dian government for the past several years has
been making vigorous efforts to preserve the
remnant of these animals having established
several reservations for them, Of the most
|
east of Great Slave lake in Northwest Terrific
ries There about 250 musk-oxen still exist
where adequate range had been set aside for
them, and the most effective protection possible
is being afforded in the hope that they may not
only maintain themselves but also increase ma
terally in numbers
In appearance musk-OXen resemble somewhat
a small-sized buffalo, or bson to which they
are probably more nearly akin than to any
other American animal. There is distinct hump
on their shoulders, although it is not con-
spicuously developed as in the bison, and the
head is carried high when the animal is on
the alert Their general color is dark brownish-
black, with a lighter brown or cream color on
the back and the legs are much lighter colored
Both sexes in the musk-ox have horns, which
in the mature bulls are massive coming to-
gether at the forehead and descending on each
side of the head, and then turning sharply up
ward and ending in sharp points. The horns in
| the female are similar but more slender. These
weapons are exceedingly effective against the
wolf which is the musk-oX's only natural enemy
In their ordinary movements the animals are
usually slow and deliberate, but they can de-
velOp astonishing speed especially when at
| tackled. The animals tend to group themselves
into herds, and in defending themselves against
the attacks of the wolves they bunch up in close
formation with heads ranged outward forming
an irregular circle. When attacked they paw
! the ground below, and with lowered heads
make quick dashing charges for short distances
and then return into formation. The young and
! immature animals thus defended from at
tack by the stronger and more aggressive adults
| The meat of these animals is reported to be
of excellent quality, similar to beef or buffalo
meat when properly dressed at the right season
| of the year. The fact that the musk-oxen for
merly roamed the treeless coastal plains of
Alaska and the information obtained in range
| Investigations conducted by the biological sur.
vey offer abundant evidence that the forage there
| is suitable for their use. Animals kept in can
! tivity have fed readily and thrived on hav and
| carrots and other root crops. Hence their do
mesticatiOn is particularly desirable as a means
! of providing a meat-producing animal that can
utilize the natural forage and the kinds of cul-
| tivated foods that can be produced in abundance
in Alaska. Climatic conditions in Alaska are such
that the agricultural development of the terri
tory must depend upon production of special
! types of animals adapted to such environment
| The present attempt, therefore, to reintrOduce
musk-oXen into Alaska and to domesticate them
with view to restocking suitable ranges an
! pears to be timely, and as they will subsfst
! largely on range forage different from that con-
sumed by reindeer and adapted to live under
! different and exceedingly rigorous conditions
| they should supplement well the present rand
development of the reindeer industry The tend
ency of the animals to bunch up during feed
! ing and not to wander far away from their
established ranges should make them readily
herded and managed and well adapted to han
ding conditions that will be necessary on the
great Alaskan ranges
(9 by Western Newspaper Union)