Farming Musk Oxen

       

          As I mentioned in my last post regarding musk oxen, these large mammals were almost extinct in the 1900's as a result of being over hunted. In my research I have found that their numbers have been quite restored since - because of many bans on hunting them in several areas and also because of much effort on the part of musk oxen farming organizations which have worked to restore these ancient creatures. One such farm I have come across during my research is the Musk Oxen Farm in Palmer Alaska. When I came across this worthy organization I was instantly compelled to share it with my readers. The opening page of the farm's website demonstrates their purpose and passion for the arctic mammal;


"The non-profit Musk Ox Farm is dedicated to the domestication of the musk ox, an Ice Age mammal that once roamed the earth alongside saber tooth tigers and woolly mammoths. Known to native Alaskans as “Oomingmak”, which means “The Bearded One”, this once-endangered animal produces an annual harvest of qiviut, the finest wool in the world. We welcome visitors to the farm for a close up experience of these magnificent Paleolithic ruminants with guided tours, engaging exhibits, a gift shop featuring hand-knit qiviut items, and community events throughout the year."


          Besides the services mentioned on the front page the farm also provides a place for musk oxen lovers to support or even "adopt" a musk oxen. One can either join the "Friends of the Musk Oxen" foundation where they can donate any amount to the farm, or for a donation of $100.00 a subscriber can choose a musk oxen from the profiles on the website to be their personal beneficiary. These options provide a way for people to get involved even if they are unable to personally assist the cause by volunteering on the farm or owning musk oxen farm of their own. 
           So whats the point of farming Musk oxen you might ask? Well it seems that they are an extremely valuable resource. The musk oxen wool, since it is able to keep these animals so warm in below freezing temperatures, is apparently eight times warmer than sheep's wool. There is an organization called the Oomingmak  Knitters Coop that is dedicated solely to the knitting and sales of musk ox wool products. Their hides are also very valuable and are made into extremely useful and supple leather. As far as food goes, musk oxen meat is as good or better than cow meat is, "The meat has an appearance similar to prime beef, and a smooth texture similar to beef or buffalo. The taste of muskox surpasses that of other domestic livestock when prepared correctly." Musk oxen milk is also known to be very sweet and delicate with a similar but superior taste to that of domestic cow milk. For these reason it is very easy to see why they are such a precious commodity and why people would be interested in preserving and farming these arctic beasts.
           Although I searched and searched to find some information on owning musk oxen as pets it seems as if my quest was in vain. I found a lot of information on big farms like the one mentioned above that are dedicated to preserving this species but as far as keeping one as a family pet it seems as if this is something yet to be founded. I did, however, find a rather funny article written in a blog by a Canadian fellow where he discussed that the pet industry must be dying down because his book, "The Feeding and Caring of your Pet Musk Oxen" was failing to sell, although I take the whole thing as a bit of a farce.
          So sadly it does appear that, for now at least, the closest one can come to owning their own musk oxen is by adopting one for $100.00 on the Musk Oxen Farm's website, unless of course you were ambitious enough to venture to Alaska and catch one yourself, apparantly once they're in captivity they tame pretty quickly...road trip anyone?

http://www.muskoxfarm.org/
http://www.nunavutmuskox.ca/muskox_meat_products.html