Reindeer

The reindeer’s ancestors were hunted by the Neanderthal during the Middle Paleolithic era. Herding in Alaska was started in 1892 (first importation of domestic reindeer from Russia) by the Native population as a means of combating underdevelopment. In 1902 the Russian government stops the exportation of reindeer to Alaska. During the 10 years a total of 1280 reindeer are shipped to Alaska.

By 1968 an estimated 30,000 reindeer exist in Alaska with 11 privately managed herds, ranging in size from a few hundred to many thousand. Today there are an estimated 463,000 reindeer in Alaska. One threat reindeer herders have is the comingling of the herds with Wild Caribou with some herds losing 75-100%.

http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.metrostate.edu/ehost/detail?vid=5&hid=115&sid=350c7cde-ecd8-4281-84c1-12097f666e4d%40sessionmgr103

http://www.alaskool.org/projects/reindeer/history/iser1969/RDEER_1.html

http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.metrostate.edu/ehost/detail?vid=7&hid=115&sid=350c7cde-ecd8-4281-84c1-12097f666e4d%40sessionmgr103

Reindeer meatballs with a cold beer:

http://flickr.com/photos/oliverw/240889181/