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.
Helga has lost her left horn and is missing a couple of teeth, but it’s just a cosmetic defect, she’s doing great despite her advanced age!
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.
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.
Neassa lost her right horn after instigating a fight with the bull Henke. Henke won the fight.
If you’re curious to know more you´re welcome to contact us, and we’ll gladly tell you more.
RONJA
Ronja was born here at the center in 2020 and is the daughter of Neassa. Ronja is a lady with a lot of attitude and she rules with an iron fist over those who are lower than her in rank.
MEJSA
Mejsa is the daughter of Ronja and granddaughter of Neassa. She was born on May 16, 2024 and her father was Brutus, perhaps the most famous musk ox ever! Mejsa has inherited her mother’s attitude and is very determined. Mejsa is named after the Mejsån, a riiver that flows near Tännäs.
FRÖSTA
Frösta was born on the same day as Mejsa, May 16, 2024, and is the daughter of our oldest female Helga. Frösta is a little more reserved and cautious. She and Mejsa often hang out together and have done so since birth. Frösta is also a daughter of Brutus. Frösta is named after the Fröstån, another river that flows near Tännäs.
GUNNAR
Gunnar moved to us in March of 2025. He comes from a zoo in northern Finland where he was born in 2023.Hopefully he will be able to mate with our females in the future.
HENKE
Henke moved to the center in November 2025. He comes from a zoo in Switzerland where he was born in 2019. Henke’s government name is Henk, but to fit in a little better with our group, we have chosen to Swedishize the name to Henke, a common nickname for the Swedish name Henrik.