In search of Large Animals...destination University of Alaska Fairbanks Large Animal Research Station
This afternoon we had the awesome opportunity to go to the University of Alaska Fairbanks Large Animal Research Station (LARS). Lindsey Blaine was our very informative tour guide. LARS is managed by the Institute of Arctic Biology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks to provide a unique facility for research and education that focuses on ungulates from the subarctic and arctic. We saw many things at the Research Center including caribou, reindeer and muskox. Lindsey explained that reindeer are a sub-species of caribou. Interestingly, both male and female caribou (so reindeer too) have antlers.
Lindsey Blaine feeding lichens to the caribou herd.
Comet, a female reindeer living at LARS, has a cannula to aid in scientific research. The cannula is a rubber "plug" that allows scientist the ability to access the contents of her stomach without causing her discomfort. The contents of her stomach can be examind to discover which microbes are being used to aid indigestion. Several animals at LARS have a cannula.
Caribou at UAF Large Animal Research Station
The highlight of the trip to the Large Animal Research Station was a visit with Bernie. Bernie is a bull muskox. Lindsey had him in the stanchion when we arrived. Muskox are large Arctic mammals of the Bovidae family. They are more closely related to lamb and goats, then oxen. Bernie was in the stanchion so that we could have the opportunity to observe "Spring Combing". Muskox have an extremely fiine underwool that is prized for it's softness and warth. It is called qiviut (pronounced kiv-ee-ut), an Inuit word. Each year, muskoxen grow a dense layer of qiviut over their entire body, protected from wind and precipitation by an outer coat of dark brown guard hair. Their winter coats keep the animals warm and comfortable when the temperature drops below –50 degrees F!
Muskox in pasture
So we got to feel Bernie before and after Lindsey combed him. It was amazing the difference!! There was a "hole" in Bernie's hair when the qiviut was combed out. The qiviut is saved. Raw qiviut sells from $25 an OUNCE!!! Qiviut spun into yarn is $300 for 300 yards. The qiviut is precious and is what helps to pay to run the Large Animal Research Station. Hats, scarves and mittens made from the qiviut are amazingly soft and warm - and also EXPENSIVE!
Chantelle feeling the qiviut on Bernie the Muskox
My nephew, Luciano, in South Carolina LOVES the muskox. He drew a picture of a muskox that was inspired from my visit to see Bernie!
Luciano and his Muskox
You can check out the Large Animal Research Station at their website if you would like more information about the research they are doing or to purchase qiviut!
Muskox have found a special place in my heart...they are cute and fuzzy and warm!
After our visit to LARS, we headed to "Alaska Land" aka "Pioneer Parke" for an "Alaska style" PolarTREC picnic! I actually ate REINDEER, caribou, moose, elk and salmon! Tasty stuff!!
Chantelle eating reindeer sausage at the Alaska Style picnic
Join me again tomorrow as we walk through time in a Permafrost tunnel!