calving update

Home
History
Publications of LARS
Research at LARS
Muskox Husbandry
Calving Update 2008
Public Tours
Qiviut

Calving at the Large Animal Research Station occurs in the Spring, from April through May. Reindeer are the first to calve, starting at the beginning of April. Muskox will usually start about the last week of April, finishing by the end of May. Caribou will calve throughout the month of May, and sometimes into early June. This follows an 8-month gestation for both species.

Normal calf birth weights range as follows:

Muskoxen, 9-12 kg (20-24 lb)
Caribou, 5-7 kg (11-15 lb)
Reindeer, 5-8 kg (12-17 lb)

Calves are usually standing and nursing within 45 minutes of birth. At LARS, all calves are handled within 12 hours of birth, so that sex and birth weight can be measured and any prescribed treatments administered. Calf health is closely monitored throughout the summer.

2008 Calving Progress
Updated: Wednesday, May 28, 2008

(Click on thumbnail image for larger view. Use your browser's Back button to return to this page.)

Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus wardi)

Dam name	"Lygyy"
Age	13 years
Calving date	April 30
Calf sex	F
Birth weight	9.8 kg (21.6 lb)

Dam name	"Lillie"
Age	11 years
Calving date	May 1
Calf sex	M
Birth weight	10.4 kg (22.9 lb)

Dam name	"Stranglewoman"
Age	8 years
Calving date	May 17
Calf sex	M
Birth weight	10.7 kg (23.5 lb)

Dam name	"Sylvia"
Age	16 years
Calving date	May 20
Calf sex	M
Birth weight	8.5 kg (18.7 lb)

Dam name	"Grinnell"
Age	5 years
Calving date	May 20
Calf sex	M and F
Birth weight	6.8 kg (15.0 lb) and 6.1 (13.4 lbs)

Caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti)

Dam name	"Pollypore"
Age	12 years
Calving date	May 5
Calf sex	Female
Birth weight	4.7 kg (10.3 lb)

Dam name	"Haag"
Age	11 years
Calving date	May 7
Calf sex	Male
Birth weight	7.6 kg (16.7 lb)

Dam name	"Aggie"
Age	8 years
Calving date	May 11
Calf sex	Male
Birth weight	7.1 kg (15.6 lb)

Dam name	"Tansy"
Age	5 years
Calving date	May 11
Calf sex	Male
Birth weight	5.9 kg (13.0 lb)

Dam name	"Ambler"
Age	14 years
Calving date	May 13
Calf sex	Female
Birth weight	5.7 kg (12.5 lb)

Dam name	"Chanterelle"
Age	12 years
Calving date	May 14
Calf sex	Female
Birth weight	5.1 kg (11.2 lb)

Dam name	"Myrtle"
Age	4 years
Calving date	May 18
Calf sex	Male
Birth weight	7.5 kg (16.5 lb)

Top