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FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) -Around 900 people showed up at the Large Animal Research Station on Saturday morning for hourly tours and chances to meet the resident muskoxen and reindeer at the Locals’ Day celebration.
This time of year is a real season of change at the research station.
“Our tours ended for the general public on September first,” explained spokesperson Caitlin Lenahan, “so again this is our last chance to welcome everyone to the farm until next May. We start shifting towards winter on the farm.”
While there is the possibility of winter tours as well, it is unclear what form these will take. Over the coming month or so as the weather cools, the animals will be shifted into other pens closer to the barns. The animals themselves have also been experiencing some changes heading into fall.
“The calves have grown a lot,” Lenahan added. “I think both the muskox calves are 110 pounds or more, and the reindeer calves almost blend in with the adults – they have antlers. Also just with the changing of the season it’s the rut season, so we have some of our animals breeding right now. And then all of the reindeer are losing the velvet off of their antlers.”
The event also doubled as a food drive for the Fairbanks Community Food Bank, with an admission fee of three nonperishable food items per person.
“I’ve heard that last year we collected over 1200 pounds,” Lenahan said, “so I’m hoping to achieve that or surpass it.”
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