Large Animal Research Station to host Birthday Bash
May 22, 2017
The LARS Birthday Bash, which celebrates new baby animals born this spring at the
University of Alaska Fairbanks Large Animal Research Station, will take place from
noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 27, at the Yankovich Road facility.
“The staff and I are very proud of this year’s babies and can’t wait to show them
off,” said John Blake, LARS director and attending veterinarian. “The musk ox babies
are surprisingly adorable with their shaggy fur and chunky legs and the reindeer calves
equally cute — all leg and loving to run.”
The free event will offer a close-up look at reindeer and muskoxen calves and their
mothers. UAF’s Animal Resources Center invites the public to get a sneak peek before
the official season opens on May 31.
Parking at LARS is limited. Visitors are encouraged to park at UAF’s Taku parking
lot off Farmers Loop Road and use the free shuttle to the farm. The shuttle will run
from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Celebrity guest Pingo Peat, a 14-foot-tall inflatable mammoth, will be joined by UAF’s
Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration and the Fairbanks Children’s
Museum. ACUASI will be flying its multirotor vehicle and will have a robot vehicle
on display. The Fairbanks Children Museum will have crafts and sensory activities
for children of all ages.
Tour guides will be available to answer questions. A highlight of the day will be
when a birthday cake is presented at 2 p.m. for the animals to enjoy. There will also be a baby name suggestion box.
LARS always accepts donations of Cheerios (the favorite treat of muskoxen) and new
or used medium- to large-sized balls; the animals are rough on their toys. Endowment
fund information will also be available in the gift shop.
CONTACT: Kate Wattum, 907-474-7448, kewattum@alaska.edu.