The focus of the research being conducted by WCS and its partners is to understand what factors are causing musk oxen to thrive in some areas while only holding stable or declining population numbers in others. 聽The studies are integral to informing future conservation efforts for musk oxen and other at-risk Arctic species, and also to raise the profile of America鈥檚 least known large mammal. Musk oxen鈥攖he quintessential Arctic land mammals鈥攇row thick undercoats of soft fleece and shaggy overcoats in winter. The species was extinct in Alaska as recently as the 1880s but was re-introduced into Alaska鈥檚 Arctic in the 1970s and today, approximately 3500-4000 musk oxen exist there. Berger stated that only 10-30 of the animals remain in Alaska鈥檚 Arctic National Wildlife Refuge鈥揹own in number from the more than 400 that lived in the refuge in the 1990s. 鈥淧eople may think Pleistocene relics exist only in museums or that animals with a highly ordered social structure like elephants exist only in Africa or Asia, but actually they exist here in the American wild,鈥� said Dr. Berger. 鈥淲e鈥檙e just starting to unlock the clues that will inform the conservation of these amazing animals, and to spread the word about what a national treasure they truly are.鈥� Asked if musk ox could step in and pull a toy-filled sleigh in a pinch, Berger stated, 鈥淎nd then some.鈥� To interview Dr. Joel Berger, contact Scott Smith at 718-220-3698, or email ssmith@wcs.org.
Join more than one million wildlife lovers working to save the Earth's most treasured and threatened species.
Thanks for signing up