June 24, 2006 Day 32 Fairbanks Alaska
On Saturday we visited an extension branch of The University of Alaska. It is a very Large Animal Research Station. (LARS) The subjects of study are the musk ox, the caribou and the reindeer. The musk ox was around during the days of the wooly mammoth in dinosaur days and almost became extinct for some unknown reason. With the help of these researchers the herd has come back from 34 to over three thousand. These animals are among the heartiest and largest mammals in the Arctic. Only a polar bear is bigger but it is considered a marine mammal. The musk ox has an incredibly dense undercoating of fur, which makes it able to adapt to ?50 below temps. Its fur is sold by the small skein for $60 and is as soft as cashmere. The horns on the head are part of the skull and made of the same material as our fingernails. They are a significant source of study in that they have 4 stomachs and digest almost all of what they eat. They are considered garbage disposals of the Arctic, as they will eat anything. They did not want to come forward for a picture for us as they had eaten just an hour before and the guide says they like to lie back and chew their cud. It was also a warm day and they do not like it warm.
The other creatures in this study are reindeer and caribou. Both have the exact same DNA, but reindeer have been domesticated for thousands of years by the Laplanders. There are slight differences in their antlers, hooves and body shape. The caribou antlers can grow up to one inch a day in the spring. It is a wonder as their diet consists of plant material and lichen and no visible source of calcium yet their metabolism is able to create this calcium like structures weighing up to 30 pounds each. The male caribou lose their antlers right after mating season. The females keep theirs until the babies are born. The caribou herds are plentiful in number in Alaska having migrations in the numbers about 450,000. I came away thinking we have so much to learn from nature. Just think of the ramifications if our metabolisms could adapt to create minerals or proteins we do not consume. I learned so many other things but I will spare you the long post. I am a much stronger supporter of animal research from my one-hour visit here.
I?d like to give a pitch here for our RV Park here in Fairbanks, The Chena Marina RV Park. The sights are wide, grassy and spacious. The photos are fro mour rig or right in front. The free wifi is excellent with a good signal even in the rain. The facilities are good. Managers are friendly and helpful in arranging tours. The view of the floatplane pond in front of us has provided entertainment and a wake up call in morning, as some of the little planes are quite noisy. Coffee and rolls are provided in the morning if you get up early enough. It is a reasonable driving distance to all of Fairbanks sights. We have been here 6 days and will move tomorrow just to get a less expensive rate boon docking rate elsewhere in town .
Statistics:
Motorhome Miles Driven: 0
Wildlife sightings: Musk ox, caribou, and reindeer
Temps: High 70 Low 50
Camping Costs: $35.00
GPS: 64.816665, -147.91170
