Show reindeer herds are growing in alaska more than animals receiving care C are reindeer herds of alaska now contain more than animals owned by about persons according to a recent estimate of the department of the interior the federal government through its reindeer service staffed b by Y seven employees supervises the these se herds over a vast area from bristol bay to point barrow on the mainland and also on several islands in addition to exercising general supervision over the reindeer herds the interior department service assists in keeping ownership records caches beaches care and management and where possible helps to establish new herds the supervisory personnel consists of one general supervisor and five unit managers with a clerk stenographer at headquarters the work is such as a S to require much traveling over long distances by airplane dog d 09 sled boat and afoot reindeer herds are a valuable native industry they provide food and some cash for many native alaskans Ala on account of transportation and other difficulties and the competition of meat products in the united states rein reindeer deer meat has not yet won more than a minor place in the american market ter rit orial officials are hopeful however that with the development of the herds and better transportation the opportunities in the Ame americal Amerl car market will be considerably enlarged A heavier demand for reindeer is reported from other parts of alaska than those in which reindeer herds are now maintained the aleutian islanders too want reindeer to supplement their meager resources few natives can pay the costs of transportation of re reindeer inac er herds so the territorial government when it has th the e money available s seeks ecks a wider distribution of the reindeer herds |