THE MUSK OX — YOUNG 321 



It was ascertained up to this time that apparently the musk ox does 

 not breed until 4 years of age, and calves at 5 years. It was also found 

 that the gestation period is 8 months rather than 9 months, as pre- 

 viously believed. 



In the summer of 1935 the first of these musk oxen, two adult bulls 

 and two adult cows, were liberated on Nunivak Island in the Bering 

 Sea. Unfortunately, a third cow was killed en route. This island 

 lies approximately 25 miles from the mainland and south of the mouth 

 of the Yukon Kiver. It is about 40 miles wide and 70 miles long, 

 containing nearly a million acres of superb grazing land. Also, the 

 island is completely free of all predators, such as bears and wolves. 



In 1936, when checks indicated the four animals were doing well, it 

 was determined to liberate the remainder of the herd there. The ani- 

 mals were accordingly rounded up and crated — 27 in all. By this time 

 the youngsters trapped in Greenland had matured into real animals, 

 and it was with difficulty that they were captured. They were hauled 

 by trucks and freight cars to Nenana, from which point they were 

 transferred to the engine deck of the S. S. Nenana for the long trip 

 down the Yukon River. Arriving at Marshall 4 days later, the animals 

 were reloaded to a covered barge and, towed by motorship, resumed 

 their journey down the Yukon to its mouth, at Kotlik, thence across 

 Pastol Bay in the Bering Sea to St. Michael. Here they were placed 

 on an open barge, the crates covered with tarpaulins, being lashed 

 with cables to prevent shifting of the load. On July 14 the barge, in 

 tow of a motorship, headed for the open sea and Nunivak Island. 



At this time of year northern Alaska may be visited by sudden and 

 severe storms, so there was great anxiety on the part of those of us 

 directly concerned with the movement and management of the ani- 

 mals. Three men were assigned to the barge, one to look after the 

 barge itself, the others to care for the comfort of the musk oxen. 

 From the words of one of these men, some idea may be had of the 

 hazards involved in this dramatic trip : 



In letting out the towline, it fouled on an object in the bottom of the bay, per- 

 haps an old 1,000-pound anchor, which was dragged out to Stuart Island, a 

 distance of about 15 miles, before being dislodged. Heavy seas were encountered 

 outside of St. Michael Bay, and until we reached the shelter of Stuart Island 

 the going was rough. The weight on the towline pulled down the bow of the 

 barge and prevented it riding over the waves, so it plowed through them. The 

 barge was put to considerable strain these 3 hours. After freeing the towline 

 the barge rode more smoothly. 



When we reached the open sea the barge began to reveal its age. The drift 

 bolts in the bow parted, opening a seam its full width, through which the water 

 poured each time it hit a wave. Other seams began to open, and by 9 a. m., the 

 water stood 3 feet deep in the well of the hold. 



