YAKUTSK, March 13. /TASS/. The population of musk oxen, which first were brought to Yakutia's Arctic districts in 1996, reached 6,500 animals, the region's Ministry of Ecology, Nature Management and Forestry told TASS.

Between 1996 and 2017, about 190 musk oxen were released in Yakutia.

"The total estimated number of [musk oxen] in the region in 2024 is 6,550 animals. Despite the positive results, the animals as yet live not everywhere in Yakutia's tundra zone along the Arctic coast," the ministry said, adding the reason is in the underfunding of the musk ox resettlement program.

Due to the small number and biological value, the musk ox is listed in Yakutia's Red Data Book. Unauthorized hunting is punished with a fine and reimbursement of damage to the animal world.

Experts say the wider habitat of musk ox will restore the biodiversity of northern ecosystems. Yakutia offers tundra pastures suitable for these animals. Those pastures are not used in domestic reindeer husbandry. The forecast is that over time, musk ox populations in Yakutia will occupy an ecological niche of empty tundra zones.