336 EXTINCT AND VANISHING MAMMALS 



notes on their occurrence in bands large or small along the east 

 coast as far as the region of Scoresby Sound. Anderson, a 

 decade ago, believed there were approximately 1,500 head in 

 East Greenland, but others believe this figure too low. Jennov 

 places the numbers between 6,000 and 10,000. There is some 

 evidence that they are more abundant than they were when 

 this region was inhabited by Eskimo. Their distribution may 

 be sporadic, depending on the depth of winter snows and on 

 whether the summer has been warm enough to produce pasture. 



There has been some controversy as to whether muskoxen 

 are in need of protection in Greenland. While the inhospitable 

 nature of their habitat prevents much hunting by visitors, it 

 is obvious that near the Eskimo settlements, as in northwestern 

 Greenland, they will continue to dwindle, unless perhaps, as 

 has been hmted, these Eskimo themselves may be decreasing. 

 After four years in East Greenland, Pedersen is of the opinion 

 that protection is more than ever needed, partly on account of 

 the excessive use made of the animals as food by trappers from 

 Norway, and partly on account of the trade in young animals 

 for zoological gardens, for in order to secure the calves, the 

 herd of adults must first be shot. Although regulations have 

 been proposed for limiting the number of animals that may be 

 killed as well as prohibiting hunting for sport or for the capture 

 of calves for commercial purposes, the latest reports at hand 

 do not indicate great progress in this direction. 



An interesting experiment was undertaken a few years ago 

 in introducing this muskox into Alaska, in order if possible to 

 reestablish the animal over areas formerly occupied by it. 

 In 1930, on the suggestion of the legislature of Alaska, the 

 United States Congress appropriated $40,000 for obtaining the 

 necessary stock. Thirty-four animals, both calves and adults, 

 were captured in East Greenland, transported to Norway, 

 thence to New York, and by rail to Seattle, whence they were 

 finally brought by boat to Seward, Alaska (Bell, 1931). This 

 herd has prospered, so that in 1936 Dr. Bell wrote to Dr. 

 Harper in response to inquiry that the animals were doing 

 well, had reached breeding age, and already had produced two 

 crops of calves, five the first year and six in the second year. 

 In 1935 two pairs of animals were transferred to Nunivak 

 Island as an experiment and have thrived there, since food is 

 plentiful. The herd was later placed on Nunivak National 



