YAKUTSK, April 15. /TASS/. The number of musk oxen in the Russian North could be increased to 2 million animals without damaging the ecosystems, expert of the Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution (the Russian Academy of Sciences) Taras Sipko told TASS.
Presently, about 14,000 animals live in various Russian regions.
"According to our calculations, the entire Russian North could accommodate about 2 million musk oxen. This number will not affect the ecosystem. For example, on Canada's Banks Island, the density of animals is one musk ox per square kilometer. We refer to this indicator, having decreased it by 10 times," the Russian scientist said.
However, as for Western Siberia, settling animals there needs to be done with caution, since there is an excessive number of deer. "There are a lot of deer in Western Siberia, so it doesn't make much sense to bring musk oxen there. The high density of animals causes depleted vegetation, especially yagel (deer moss). In Russia's other regions, reindeer husbandry is less intensive, thus there is a certain potential for settling musk oxen there," he added.
Threats to animals
The main threat to animals is illegal hunting, in which involved are both hunters and reindeer herders, as well as employees of industrial and resource companies. "Using modern equipment, they can get to most inaccessible areas where musk oxen live," the expert explained.
For example, in the Krasnoyarsk Region, which licenses musk oxen hunting, every year at least 100 animals are hunted illegally. "Animals become easy objects for hunters because they do not run away, they only defend themselves," he said.
At the same time, musk oxen's attacks on humans are rare. "The musk ox at first gives a warning - it rubs head against his leg. Even if it attacks, it does not follow the object for a long time - about just 100 meters. However, the animal a lot of strength, and his horns are sharp, thus an attack can end badly," the scientist explained. "I would like to note that musk oxen, as a rule, do not specifically pursue a human."
Growing population
In 1974, ten musk oxen from Canada were delivered to the eastern shore of Lake Taymyr at the mouth of the Bikada River, and in 1975 - another 20 animals from the United States. According to experts, 35 years after the release, the Taymyr population has reached 10,000 musk oxen. Additionally, in 1975, 20 young musk oxen from the USA were released on Chukotka's Wrangel Island, and now their population is estimated at 1,200 animals.
Between 1996 and 2010, in eastern Taymyr 289 musk oxen were captured under regional programs. They were re-settled to the Polar Urals, the Magadan and Kaluga Regions, to Yakutia's several locations, and were sent to zoos and nurseries.
The animal is listed in Yakutia's Red Data Book. According to the region's ecology and forestry authority, about 190 musk oxen were released in the Allaikhovsky, Anabarsky, Bulunsky and Nizhnekolymsky Districts in 1996-2017. "By now, stable populations have formed in those locations. The total estimated number of animals in the region as of 2024 is more than 6,500," the authority reported.
Local specialists plan to settle musk oxen in Yakutia's other tundra zones along the Arctic coast. The plan is that over time, numerous musk oxen herds in Yakutia will be able to occupy pastures suitable for them in the northern districts, as well as on Arctic islands. The wider habitat will be another step to restore the northern ecosystems' biodiversity, the region's authorities say.