In 1944, 29 reindeer were left on a remote island in Alaska, decades later, they had eaten themselves
Source: Times of India
Category: General
Region: General
Published: August 21, 2026 at 06:30
📝 Summary
Twenty-nine reindeer introduced to St. Matthew Island in 1944 grew to over 6,000 animals. This population boom led to severe overgrazing of the island's lichen food sources. An extreme winter in 1963-1964 brought devastating blizzards and deep snow. These harsh conditions prevented reindeer from accessing their depleted food supplies. Ultimately, the entire reindeer herd perished, leaving the island devoid of these animals.