Reindeer calves named at university farm
October 2, 2014
Nancy Tarnai
907-474-5042
10-2-2014
Reindeer calf names have a decidedly whimsical nature this fall at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
As the calves turned 5 months old, they were allotted names, including Buttercup, Bubbles and Blossom.
Reindeer Research Program staff wait until the calves are weaned from their mothers to begin the naming process. All summer, they are referred to by the numbers on their ear tags.
Schoolchildren from around the country submitted suggestions on the RRP website, some from far-flung locations like Wilmington, Delaware; Brattleboro, Vermont; and Cullawhee, North Carolina.
This year, some names were chosen by participants in the first-ever Reindeer Youth Development Camp, held in August. Alaska students from Savoonga, Nome, Stebbins and Anchorage spent several days with RRP staff learning about animal husbandry and leadership. For their extra efforts, they got to name half the herd.
Male names are Thunder, Lance, Sven, Coby, Kevin and Rodger. Females, besides those listed above, are Tucker, Nina, Fuzzball, Holly, Tabitha, Bella and Rosemary.
Rejected, as customary, were most Christmas-related nominations, including Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Mrs. Claus. Surprisingly, Holly made the cut. The staff try to disassociate Santa and his mythical flying creatures from their farm animals, which are raised for meat research.
Schoolchildren are welcome to enter names starting in April each spring. The program received 32 male names and 30 female names at the RRP website this year.
RRP conducts research in meat science, range management, nutrition, reproductive health, disease prevention and radio telemetry. The program has been active at UAF since 1981.
The reindeer live at the Fairbanks Experiment Farm, part of the Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station operated by UAF's School of Natural Resources and Extension.