DOMESTICATED REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 



N-umber of each sex and age June SO, 1S93. 



31 



In the table given it will be observed that of the total number of 

 thirty-one lost during the year, the deaths of twelve were caused from 

 injuries sustained in transportation. 



The reindeer were first tied with leather straps around their feet 

 just above the hoofs. In this condition they were lifted by hand into 

 one of the boats belonging to the Bear and hoisted on board that ves- 

 sel by block and tackle, when the hobbles were removed, and they 

 were then turned loose in a pen made on one of the lower decks. 



The transportation from the point of shipment to the station 

 involved but a few hours, when the reindeer were again hobbled, low- 

 ered into the small boat, rowed ashore, lifted to the beach by hand, and 

 the hobbles removed, when they were finally turned loose. 



While the greatest care was exercised by the men of the Bear in 

 handling the reindeer, it is reasonable to suppose that, in their strug- 

 gle during the operation of tying them and their efforts to free them- 

 selves when tied, together with the cramped condition they were in 

 while in the small boat, more or less lameness would naturally be 

 caused, and in some instances serious injury. 



While I might suggest some method of transportation that would 

 involve less chance of injury to the reindeer, such, for instance, as tow- 

 ing them in a large barge across the straits, and, when the station is 

 reached, driving them off it into the water to the shore, Capt. Healy 

 has doubtless reasoned out some plan that would prove more practic- 

 able and one that would fully meet the present objections. 



In the confusion attendant upon the establishment of the station, 

 together with the scarcity of lumber with which to construct a corral, it 

 was impossible to arrive at anything like a correct account of the num- 

 ber of females in the herd. We were certain of one fact, however, 

 namely, that the proportion of bulls was largely in excess of what it 

 should have been, and to this cause may be ascribed the loss of at least 

 eight reindeer from injuries received, while some of the stillborn may 

 have been from the same cause. 



The reindeer, I am glad to be able to state, were in splendid condi- 

 tion throughout the long and severe winter. 



In this connection I will state that although reindeer possess endur- 

 ance to a remarkable extent, notably the withstanding long and severe 

 spells of cold and stormy weather, they are in some respects as tender 

 as a child. Their flesh is easily torn, the bones of their legs break 



