REINDEER AND MUSK-OX 



Among the matters less directly related to the subject under inquiry, but 

 in regard to which evidence was offered, are those of the protection, not only of 

 the natives themselves, but of the animals on which they subsist, from exploita- 

 tion and mistreatment by outsiders, this in some cases involving the question of 

 territorial jurisdiction; the habits and customs of the natives and the effects, 

 beneficial or detrimental upon them of contact with the white races, as also the 

 mineral and other natural resources, the development of which may later create 

 an increased demand for local food supplies. 



Bearing in mind the limitations of the inquiry, as set forth in the Order in 

 Council, this report deals only with the general aspects of each of the phases of 

 the investigation, as follows: — 



(1) MUSK-OX: (Habitat; Characteristics; Numbers; Domestication; Con- 



servation; Flesh; Fur and Wool.) 



(2) REINDEER: (Possibility of Maintenance; Necessity of Restraint; 



Grazing and Herding Problems; Experimental Herds; Selection of 

 Localities; Reindeer Meat.) 



(3) CARIBOU: (Habitat; Varieties; Numbers; Menace to Reindeer Herds; 



Domestication; Caribou Meat; Conservation.) 



MUSK-OX 



Habitat — 



This animal, which evidently at one time existed over the greater portion 

 of the northern half of the North American Continent, has apparently been 

 exterminated, so far as the mainland is concerned, except in that comparatively 

 small region lying north and east of a line extending from Chesterfield inlet on 

 Hudson bay to the western side of Bathurst inlet on Coronation gulf. 



There is no exact or even approximate knowledge as to the numbers of 

 musk-ox surviving in the area in question, but from the evidence given, it would 

 appear that they are now comparatively few. 



Evidence was readily available from many witnesses as to the existence of 

 musk-ox in this area during recent years, either through these witnesses having 

 seen the animals themselves, their recent tracks, or their fresh skins in the 

 possession of natives. 



According to the evidence of Captain George Comer, there are no musk-ox 

 on Melville peninsula, and no reliable evidence was adduced as to their existence 

 on Boothia peninsula. 



There is a tradition that a musk-ox was once killed on Bafffn island, but 

 they do not now exist on Southampton island or any of the other islands in 

 Hudson bay, or, so far as the evidence indicates, on any of the larger islands 

 lying north of the mainland and south of Lancaster and Melville sounds. 



There is, however, ample evidence as to the existence of musk-ox in Mel- 

 ville island. North Devon island. Axel Heiberg island and EUesmere island 

 while they are also found on the northeast coast of Greenland. 



Characteristics — ■ 



The musk-ox can apparently sustain life on the natural vegetation found 

 in most parts of the Canadian Arctic. 



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