Perhaps the most sought-after mammal around Nome, AK is the Muskoxen. Nome may be the only place in the USA where you can fly in, rent a car, and go see a wild Muskox. It is even possible to see them in town and around the airport.
Muskoxen are one of the few large land mammals in North America that could wear tee-shirts stating, “I survived the Ice-age: Mastodons and Woolly Mammoths are wimps”.
Of course, one of their survival traits may have led to their demise. By the 1920’s Muskox were extirpated from the state of Alaska. One reason was likely due to humans killing them for their wool; one of the warmest wools for its weight. This wool that allows a Muskox to withstand cold dark winters on the Arctic Tundra was sought after to make coats, hats, scarves, and other clothing items.
Muskox also provided a food source for both man and sled dogs, further compromising their population.
In 1930, Alaska wildlife officials imported 34 Muskoxen from East Greenland and penned them at Fairbanks. After sustaining a few losses, they were relocated to a large island in the Bering Sea, free from bears. The herd expanded, allowing for animals to be translocated to the mainland. By year 2000, it was estimated that 4,000 oxen existed in Alaska.
The Muskox may not rank high on the list of beautiful or majestic mammals, but their multiple adaptations to withstand harsh winters must be admired. Fortunately, concerned wildlife managers noted their dwindling populations, took action, and were successful in their recovery.
Hi,
One can see them still in Fairbanks, Ak at the University of Alaska research station.
Don
Very true Don. There are also domestic herds scattered across Alaska. But to see them in the wild (not fenced in) means traveling to a more remote location.
I had no idea muskox were at one time totally eliminated in Alaska. Bringing them back is just another success story for wildlife biologists.
They had also disappeared from Europe and Asia, leaving them only in Greenland and Arctic Canada. We are lucky that someone had some foresight to protect this species from extinction.
Fantastic photos, informative, and well-crafted narrative! Thanks, Stan!
You are welcome. One of the biggest advantages of traveling is seeing and learning new things.
Stan! These pics are amazing! They look so interesting/ancient. Pretty cool they still live among us.
Thank you Peg. They are amazing animals indeed.
I’ve never heard of a muskox! Very nice pictures. Alaska is on my bucket list! Thanks for sharing
Diane, Alaska is a great place to visit. It is also a huge state.