Long Trek Across Arctic Circle

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 133, 8 June 1935, Page 9

Long Trek Across Arctic Circle

HERD OF REINDEER TAKEN TO FEED NATIVES OF ALASKA

After a' live years’ trek across the frozen Arctic wastes, tho herd ot 3000 .domesticated reindeer, bought in Alaska to provide existence for northern tribes, has successfully crossed the Mackenzie delta, according to news just received.

The herd is to be settled ou the outskirts of a large prairie within tho Arctic Circle, and it is hoped that it will solve ona of the problems of providing the Northern Canadian tribes with food and material for tents and clothing. The herd set out in 1929 from Alaska under the charge of a diminutive Laplander named Andrew Bahr, who, assisted by Laplanders and Eskimos, began the task of driving the herd to its new home.

The message now to hand from north-western Canada states that the herd has reached the,cast side of the Mackenzie River, almost completing the vast journey.

The 70-mile journey across tho Mackenzie delta was tho most difficult part of the entire trek. It could only be made between November and March during the long Arctic Nights. The herders planned to make the dash during the time of the full moon so as to take advantage of the additional light. I-’ew accidents occurred to the animals during tho crossing of tho delta. An attempt was made last year to cross the delta, but tho herd suffered losses through terrible hardships, and eventually stampeded back to tho starting-point. Ice and violent winds, and a temperature nearly 60 degrees below zero, had made it impossible for tho deer to secure foothold.

Before their delivery to their new home at tho reindeer station at Ivittigazuit, the herd is to rest for a few days.

It is estimated that the herd has travelled at least 1200 miles since it set out in 1929. Many died, but calves were born, bringing the herd to about its original strength.