REPORT OF THE ROYAL COMMISSION 



The reindeer industry in Alaska, which as shown by the foregoing statement, 

 was inaugurated by the Bureau of Education of the United States Department 

 of the Interior, has now attained such proportions that the Department of 

 Agriculture has been asked to assist in its development. 



During the past year the officers of the Bureau of Biological Survey have 

 accordingly been investigating the industry, with a view to improving the 

 methods of breeding and handling, so as to increase the size and weight of the 

 animals, and at the same time to take such steps as will prevent the parasitic 

 infestation and other conditions which have had so detrimental an effect upon 

 the herds. 



In July, 1919, Dr. E. W. Nelson, Chief of the Bureau of Biological Survey, 

 visited Alaska, taking with him Dr. Hadwen, formerly Chief Parasitologist of 

 the Canadian Government, as also a range expert from the United States Forest 

 Service. 



A reindeer experimental station has been located at Unalakleet, on the 

 coast of Bering sea, about one hundred and twenty-five miles from the mouth 

 of the Mackenzie river and eighty miles east of Nome, there being many reindeer 

 herds in that region. 



The investigations which have been since conducted have shown that 

 certain simple changes in the methods of handling the reindeer herds will be of 

 great benefit in reducing losses and producing better stock. 



Much of the land has been over-grazed, resulting not only in depreciation 

 of the vegetation on the range, but in serious infestation of the reindeer with 

 parasites of five or six different kinds. An endeavour is being made to determine 

 a grazing unit, that is to learn how much land, under the conditions of the 

 range, one reindeer needs to maintain it for a year. 



When this information is secured it will be possible to work out a system 

 of allotments of territory to the ow^ners of different herds. 



The natives now own 150,000 reindeer, which will increase rapidly, and their 

 interests must be safeguarded. 



The following quotations from the evidence given by Dr. Nelson, before 

 the Committee on Appropriations, at Washington, are very interesting: — 



"A rapid survey of the country to determine the area suitable for 

 reindeer and its camping capacity will be of prime importance in develop- 

 ing the industry. At the same time the proper methods of handling the 

 herds must be worked out. Interest in this industry will develop, and it 

 will be of the greatest value to the future of Alaska. 



"As a matter of fact, it appears to be the one great outstanding 

 opportunity for new development in the near future in northern Alaska. 

 The present 200,000 reindeer in Alaska, in addition to tens of thousands 

 killed for meat, all came during the last twenty-eight years from an 

 original importation of 1,280 animals. The increase is almost unbeliev- 

 able. People have asked me what the future of the industry is likely to 

 be, and I have replied by asking them the question, 'If 1,280 reindeer 

 in twenty-eight years produced the present 200,000 animals, what is 

 likely to be the increase from 200,000 animals in the next twenty-eight 

 years?' In other words, the industry, properly handled, should have a 

 great future." 



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