BIG HAIRY GOATS

Musk oxen had been killed off within Alaska by the late 1800's. A defence strategy which involved standing still and facing your enemies although effective against wolves and bears failed completely against hunters bullets.
In the 1930's an expedition to Eastern Greenland captured 34 young animals and the current population comes from this small gene pool.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks studies a group of these along with reindeer and caribou colonies. We took the tour and were impressed with the knowledgeable guide until we asked him about what sort of experiments were carried out on the musk ox. He was very open about one experiment involving cutting into the side of the musk ox and it’s stomach. This fistula was then maintained for some time to allow access to the rumen which is of scientific interest. He claimed not to have heard of the word vivisection.

The musk ox were remarkably tame and he was hand feeding the cows through the fence. He explained that they were not related to oxen but are closer to goats. He also explained that although they are quite aggressive with each other it is mostly just a trial of strength to establish the pecking order and that they do not use the points of their horns except when attacked. Then they can see off grizzlies with a single swipe. However he also said that he has had dazed musk ox wandering around the place after a good collision as they are each doing 20 to 30 mph when they hit!