Translocation techniques used to establish pen farmed Alaskan reindeer

Small herds of reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) frequently have been needed to be established in fenced holding pens for research or commercial reasons in Alaska and other areas. Native ranges of reindeer in Alaska were not on road systems, and the diet of the native reindeer had to be changed when they were translocated to small pens. Economics of transportation and feeding played an important role in the feasibility of translocation. Gathering and holding of reindeer for shipment, transport methods, adjustment of free-ranging reindeer to confinement, and a new diet were primary considerations to insure survival. Minimal psychologic stress of short duration, thermoregulation, and physical comfort were extremely important in carrying out a successful translocation. Receiving facilities, feed, and personnel were equally important. A minimum of one month was required to adjust reindeer to confinement and diet change.


Introduction
. The history of translocation of reindeer has varied from very successful to total failure with the deaths of large numbers of animals.Various translocation techniques used for different wildlife species and descriptions of results has been documented (Nielsen, 1988).This report describes one method developed over the past 20 years in Alaska.Each translocation situation is unique, and it should be recognized that there is no single "correct" method.The use of good husbandry practices, an understanding of the behavior and biology of reindeer, plus consideration of the practical economics of the situation all play an important role in a successful outcome.

Conclusions
Free-ranging reindeer can be successfully translocated and held in captivity with a low rate of mortality if the natural biology of the animals is considered and each move adjusted to fit the special circumstances of the situation.
Of primary importance is the amount of stress to which the animals will be exposed, the duration of this stress, and the availability of food and water which is palatable and digestable.A fast move of only a few hours is preferable over a slow move of many hours or days even if the fast move may appear somewhat more stressful.
The receiving area must be as stress-free as possible and dog-proof.The animals should not be approached or handled during the conditioning period unless absolutely necessary.
Each translocation of reindeer is unique, and no one single plan should be used for all situations.Experience and good animal husbandry techniques are essential for the succesfull completion of a move.If any one part of a translocation is not going to be completed as planned, the whole move should be adjusted or postponed until all conditions are as optimal as possible.
Herding of domestic reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) has taken place in Alaska for nearly 100 years.The original herds were introduced from Siberia in the 1800s for use by the Eskimos located on Alaska's Seward Peninsula.Over the past several years there has been an increasing demand for Alaskan reindeer in other parts of the State or in other areas in North America.Reindeer are needed for research purposes and for both private and commercial ventures.There are no connecting road systems to the Seward Peninsula, and sea transport of reindeer is difficult because of their remote location and the lack of proper holding facilities near ocean ports.Reindeer in Alaska roam essentially free on tundra ranges and are gathered for antler harvest and fawn marking during the summer.Most herds are gathered once again during the winter for parasite treatment, brucellosis vaccination, and for separation of animals by ownership.It is difficult to capture reindeer other than at these specific times (Dieterich, 1986).Reindeer have been translocated to many different areas of the world for many years.Methods have varied from overland herding to air transport.Large numbers of reindeer have been Rangifer, Special Issue No. 3, 1990.

Fig. 1 .
Fig. 1.Type of standard crate used for single reindeer shipments.transported to alternate ranges in Scandinavia by semi-and tandem-trailer trucks capable of carrying up to 200 animals(Dau, 1987).The the past several years, personnel at the University of Alaska at Fairbanks have translocated several hundred reindeer from Alaska's Seward Peninsula to Fairbanks, a distance of approximately 800 kilometers.Aircraft were 306 used because no road or rail system connects these two locations.Chemical immobilization and physical restaint were used separately and in combination.In our experience, chemical immobilization was not successful for the long duration (approximately 12 hours) of the transport because of the resultant poor thermoregulation and cardiovascular depression.Drugs were used only on reindeer which were unwilling to remain calm even after proper handling.Most transport trips required the use of no tranquilizing or immobilizing drugs.Crates The use of large multi-engine aircraft was very expensive, and concessions had to be made to safely move the largest number of reindeer possible in the cargo space available.There were no aircraft specifically configured to transport livestock, and the aircraft operators required control of urine and feces.Individual reindeer were shipped in large, standard, well-ventilated crates that enclosed the entire animal (Fig.l).These standard crates measured 120 cm high, Rangifer, Special Issue No. 3, 1990.

Fig. 2 .
Fig. 2. Type of crate used for reindeer shipments of short durations.Partially assembled showing various parts.76 cm wide, and 152 cm long.This system worked well but occupied a considerable amount of space and added excessive weight which further limited the number of animals an aircraft could carry.The size of the standard crate was a limiting factor when shipping several reindeer in one load.Smaller, collapsible crates were designed that had several advantages (Fig. 2).In order to save ground-time aircraft charges, crates could be shipped to the loading site in advance so caged reindeer could be loaded into the transport aircraft as soon as it arrived.Shipping collapsible crates that could be re-assembled saved freight charges based on size-to-weight relationships.Also, more crates could be loaded on one aircraft.These crates were large enough to contain the reindeer's body but allowed the head to extend outside the crate (Fig 3).A padded stanchion which surrounded the neck of the animal aided restraint.The sides and floor of the crates were waterproof, and wood shavings were placed on the crate floors

Fig. 6 .
Fig.6.Type of feeding trough used to prevent feed contamination, access to natural grasses lying under snow, finestemmed grass hay, and a commercial grain mixture 2 .This grain mixture was first mixed with the hay and placed on the ground.The "trainer" deer soon taught the newly translocated reindeer to eat out of "V" shaped feeding troughs placed on posts approximately two feet above ground level (Fig.6).These troughs prevented the animals from wasting feed by placing their feet in the feed and aided in parasite control by keeping feces away from food sources.The grain mixture had been used with good results as the primary food source for several generations of reindeer held in captivity over the past 15 years.Some of these reindeer had been held in indoor rooms for infectious disease research for up to 18 months with the grain mixture as their only food source.These animals maintained excellent body condition, and those animals which were pregnant had fawns.Rumen innoculum from reindeer previously adapted to the grain mixture was not intro