Our muskoxen
The muskox centre in Härjedalen is a non-profit organisation, and our main purpose is to preserve the wild muskox population in Härjedalen by reducing disturbance and stress on the animals in the area, and spreading knowledge and awareness.
We’ve also been able to place one of the animals from the centre in the wild herd in the mountains of Härjedalen. Her name is Idun, and thanks to her there´s been new calves born in the wild herd. By breeding muskox we help zoo’s get a wider variation of genetics in their muskox.
By visiting the muskox centre you´re ensuring you’ll have a nature experience unlike any other. You are also directly contributing to our important work with the muskox, in regards to research, breeding and spreading awareness.
HÄRJE AND HELGA
One of our bulls, Härje, was born in 2008 on the island of Ryøya in the northern part of Norway. His mother passed away during childbirth, and Härje had to be bottle fed in order to survive.
In 2009 Härje moved into the muskox center together with Helga, who is the same age as Härje and they were our first muskox.
As early as 2010 Helga gives birth to a baby boy named “Myse”. When Myse was 1 year old he was moved to Highland park in Scotland, bringing a new stock of healthy genes to their muskox.
Härje passed away in the autumn of 2021.
IDUN
Idun was born in 2011. At the age of 2 she went to live with the wild herd in the mountains of Härjedalen.
Idun was the first muskox in the world, born in capitivity to be accepted by a wild herd.
Today she’s still part of the herd, and mother to several calves.
KOMPIS
In 2010 our second bull came to the muskox centre from Ryøya in Norway. He came to us with his friend, a bull named Ulrik, and the first bull was therefore named Ulriks kompis, meaning Ulriks friend. Ulrik later moved to Polarpark in Bardu, Norway, but Kompis (“Friend”) stayed.
NEASSA
In 2011 our second muskox-cow came to the muskox centre. She was named Neassa, which is an old name for the village of Tännäs.
Neassa was born late in the year, and therefore she had to be bottle fed growing up. She spent her first year of life indoors at the University at Ryøya. In 2012 she becomes a mother for the first time.
Since then we’ve had calves at the muskox centre every year. If you wish to learn more about the daily lives of our muskox you can visit our Instagram.
If you’re curious to know more you´re welcome to contact us, and we’ll gladly tell you more.