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16 April, 2002Weather: Sunny So, is it a Reindeer or Caribou? (See April 15th journal) It's a Reindeer. Reindeer and Caribou are closely related and are the northernmost animals in the deer family. While caribou have been around for centuries, Siberians brought reindeer to Alaska in the 1890s. Whalers and miners used up marine mammals and caribou hunted by native Alaskans so reindeer herding was introduced to Inupiat Eskimos for food and clothing. As reindeer herding became a part of the Alaska native culture, they're the only group of people that have this privilege. Female reindeer and caribou are the only female members of the deer family that have antlers. Reindeer antlers are covered with velvet-like skin used in eastern medicine. During pre-mating season, mature adults rut to remove this hairy skin to better use their antlers as weapons. In this farm, antlers are clipped off immediately before rutting season. Creamer's Field Migratory Water Fowl Refuge After our Poker Flat rounds this morning, I decided to stop by Creamer's Field, a refuge for migratory waterfowl. Around this time of year, Canadian geese stop by this area to feed before heading up north for the summer. As of this afternoon, the field was still empty but residents believe they will arrive later this week. Other migratory birds that are on the way are sand hill cranes, various kinds of ducks, and songbirds. Click here for more information on this refuge. http://www.state.ak.us/local/akpages/FISH.GAME/wildlife/region3/refuge3/creamers.htm
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