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--- reindeer [2024/01/20 09:43] – [III. PEOPLE AND REINDEER] zookeeper
+++ reindeer [2024/01/20 11:29] (current) – [III. PEOPLE AND REINDEER] zookeeper
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 The domestication of the Eurasian tundra reindeer appear to have begun far longer ago than traditionally thought – in that traditional estimates put reindeer domestication as only a result of a few centuries, though recent years have led to the discovery of ancient artifacts thought to be reindeer harnesses – radio-carbon dated to about 2,000 years, originating in northern Siberia. It is also known that around 700 years ago, the Sámi people used reindeer as a form of transportation to pull sleds as working animals. Interestingly, where peoples of Eurasia successfully domesticated reindeer, the Caribou of North America were never domesticated. Even so, many native tribes of North America rely on caribou as part of their diet; and in the case of the Nunamiut Iñupiat, it is the most important food source; and they rely on caribou also for fat, fur, and bones - which can be used to make a broth. Caribou fur allows for warmth in the hostile cold of the Arctic, and the tendons of the caribou can be used to make nets. And arguably with the decline of such traditional foods as moose and salmon, the importance of caribou as food will grow in years to come. Even today, the traditional herding of reindeer continues – when such occurs, the herders follow an organised migration path of the reindeer, which requires astute and intimate knowledge of the reindeer involved and their surroundings. It also requires an understanding of reindeer husbandry – namely which reindeer are to be slaughtered, which are to become draft-animals, and which are to be castrated. Although a need for transportation has been lessening in recent years, reindeer are still herded for meat, hide, and milk. This, thus, makes them the only species of deer that has become largely domesticated. Close to the end of the 19th century, domestic reindeer were brought to Alaska as a source of food for the native peoples; who were believed to be malnourished [a belief held by Reverend Sheldon Jackson, a political figure and missionary]. The government of the United States funded the emigration of Scandinavian Sámi to Alaska so to teach methods of reindeer husbandry to natives. Reindeer meat became marketed on such fine qualities that the animal was already well-adapted to the Alaskan climate, and fulfilled much the same ecological niche as the native caribou. By 1937 reindeer herding in Alaska proved profitable; and the Reindeer Act was passed into law; which barred Sámi and other imigrants from herding tundra reindeer. Reindeer became federally managed in Alaska - where some 20,000 live on Indigenous properties today. In the lower 48 states, many reindeer live on farms also.
-This is in part due to the newfound Western perception of reindeer – although reindeer and caribou have played a role in mythology for thousands of years, as symbols of luck, riches, and allure, reindeer would not be popular with much of Europe and North America until the 1800s, with the publication of “A Visit from St. Nicholas” – introducing the characters of eight flying reindeer - “Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Dunder and Blixem*!” It would not be until 1939 when a ninth reindeer was added to the Yuletide roll-call – when Robert L. May of the Montgomery Ward department store would be asked to write a Christmas story as a promotional event. And so it would be that Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer, would be the most recent member of the Yuletide herd, and about 10 years later, May’s brother-in-law would write a song based off May’s book. At this point in time, reindeer were essentially contemporary with the holiday scene. Such popularity has led to reindeer becoming popular attractions across the Western world, making appearances at public facilities, such as manors and gardens, as so to capitalise off holiday enthusiasm. This, however, has not been met without controversy – the RSPCA of the United Kingdom has expressed concern for reindeer used in public events, in that the social animals are likely under great stress when usually kept alone in small areas to meet passing tourists. Most tour-reindeer live on nearby farms throughout the year, rented typically only during the holiday season, proving as popular tourism attractions. In the case of the Cairngorms Reindeer Herd of Scotland; castrate reindeer are used in holiday displays, but live in the mountains for the rest of the year. Whilst this herd is able to traverse the entirety of the Cairngorms, they are still managed by people - and socialise well with people.
+This is in part due to the newfound Western perception of reindeer – although reindeer and caribou have played a role in mythology for thousands of years, as symbols of luck, riches, and allure, reindeer would not be popular with much of Europe and North America until the 1800s, with the publication of “A Visit from St. Nicholas” – introducing the characters of eight flying reindeer - “Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Dunder and Blixem*!” It would not be until 1939 when a ninth reindeer was added to the Yuletide roll-call – when Robert L. May of the Montgomery Ward department store would be asked to write a Christmas story as a promotional event. And so it would be that Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer, would be the most recent member of the Yuletide herd, and about 10 years later, May’s brother-in-law would write a song based off May’s book. Reindeer have become a potent element of Christmas imagery - though many depictions have these animals resemble more southerly-living deer. At this point in time, reindeer were essentially contemporary with the holiday scene. Such popularity has led to reindeer becoming popular attractions across the Western world, making appearances at public facilities, such as manors and gardens, as so to capitalise off holiday enthusiasm. This, however, has not been met without controversy – the RSPCA of the United Kingdom has expressed concern for reindeer used in public events, in that the social animals are likely under great stress when usually kept alone in small areas to meet passing tourists. Most tour-reindeer live on nearby farms throughout the year, rented typically only during the holiday season, proving as popular tourism attractions. In the case of the Cairngorms Reindeer Herd of Scotland; castrate reindeer are used in holiday displays, but live in the mountains for the rest of the year. Whilst this herd is able to traverse the entirety of the Cairngorms, they are still managed by people - and socialise well with people.
 *//”Dunder” and “Blixem” are now commonly referred to in most cases as “Donner and Blitzen.” The two words translate from Dutch to “thunder” and “lighting” respectively.//