Musk Ox almost became extinct in that they don't run when faced with danger...the males form a circle facing out surrounding the females and calves, therefore easy to shoot and kill. They were totally wiped out in Alaska and nearly wiped out in Canada. The musk ox reintroduced in Alaska came from Greenland and now number around 3,000. The musk ox has four stomachs and eats only 1/6th of what cattle require. They are well suited for the Alaska climate in that they have an under-wool that is eight times warmer that sheep's wool.The Musk Ox Farm is a private non-profit organization dedicated to the development and domestication of the musk ox, for the purpose of providing additional subsistence income opportunities for Alaska's first people. The soft under-wool of the musk ox, qiviut, is harvested once a year and delivered to the Oomingmak, an Alaskan native knitter's co-operative (www.qiviut,com). By the way, qiviut, no "u" after the "q", is a great scrabble word. Why qiviut? It is eight times warmer than sheep's wool, will not shrink in any temperature water, is gathered without harm to the musk ox and its ash brown color compliments any ensemble. Each tribe has their own knitting pattern and knit caps and scarves which sell for $150-$250 each. A qiviut blanket was being raffled off valued at $10,000.
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