No one in Chuathbaluk has ever seen Musk-ox this far inland before.
Observation: Three muskox were sighted across the community of Chuathbaluk this morning, on the 8th of June, 2017. No one has ever seen them this far inland before. My Grandmother, who is 75 years old, has lived her whole life in the Mid-Kuskokwim Region, and has never once seen any muskox in this region before. We have heard of sightings in the Bethel area, and some were seen around Kalskag (hear say), but never this far up the river. Any thoughts as to why they are migrating this far? I thought they were mainly coastal animals? Sorry for the low-resolution photo. I took the photo with a cell phone camera.
LEO says: "There are about 4,000 muskox in Alaska, and "can be found in northcentral, northeastern, and northwestern Alaska, on Nunivak Island, Nelson Island, the Seward Peninsula, the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, and in domestic herds across the state. Originally transplanted from populations in East Greenland, these creatures are well-suited and adapted to the harsh arctic climate of the areas in which they are found today." The Alaska Department of Fish & Game have been notified of the observation. Source: ADF&G
Resource:
Alaska Department of Fish and Game – Muskox (Ovibos moschatus) Life History, "For the muskox, the breeding season begins during late summer; mating takes place between August and October. During the rut, bulls battle in spectacular and violent contests. Mature bulls are about 5 feet high at the shoulder and weigh 600-800 pounds. Cows are smaller, averaging approximately 4 feet in height and weighing 400-500 pounds."
