Last U.S. Reindeer Hoped To Breed With Canadian Caribou

by Jennifer Smith April 18, 2019

The last member of an American wild reindeer population has been moved to a new wilderness with other caribou in the hope of increasing numbers.

American reindeer are now considered extinct right across the “lower 48” US states – the area comprising most states but excluding Alaska.

The survivor was captured three months ago and held in a special pen, where she was introduced to four Canadian caribou from endangered herds in the hope they would bond.

The capture marked an end for the only herd that occasionally crossed from Canada to the lower 48 states.

Now the group have been released in British Colombia, north of the US-Canadian border, and have met up with another herd.

Wildlife chiefs say the populations are closely enough related that the surviving female will have a better chance of survival than if she were left alone.