Alaska News

Group of musk oxen seen near Bethel and neighboring villages

BETHEL -- A group of musk oxen has been seen between Bethel and three villages.

KYUK reports that about eight of the animals were spotted over the weekend between the hub city and the villages of Nunapitchuk, Atmautluak and Kasigluk.

State wildlife biologist Patrick Jones in Bethel warns people to avoid going near the stubborn musk oxen -- going around them when traveling -- and to leash their dogs if they are going to be near the animals.

Musk oxen in the state are descendents of animals brought from Greenland after the state's population died out.

The musk oxen around Bethel have been migrating from Nelson Island.

About 200 of the animals are estimated to be in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Biologists say the population would need to reach about 2,000 before a hunt would be allowed.

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