A space to roam

On Nunivak Island in the Bering Sea, part of the
Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, herds of musk oxen transplanted
from Greenland have prospered because the island is devoid of
animal predators. Alaskas original herds were slaughtered
by the mid-19th century. Today about 70 animals are taken yearly,
half by sport hunters who fly in for trophy bulls. Eskimos who
harvest musk oxen do so for the meat and underwool, called qiviut,
used to make scarves and blankets.
©1996 National Geographic Society.
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