Did you know that caribou and reindeer, though often mistaken for one another, have very different roots? Caribou are native to North America, while reindeer originated in northern Europe and Asia, migrating across regions like Sweden, Siberia, Norway, and Finland. To understand how these iconic animals made their way to North America, we need to look back in history.

 

In the late 1800s, Native Alaskan communities were struggling as whaling ships and outside hunters depleted their natural resources. In response, a federal program was launched in 1890 to introduce reindeer from Siberia to Alaska, providing these communities with resources for food, clothing, transportation, and employment as herdsmen. Today’s North American reindeer are descendants of these Siberian imports, and the reindeer at Northern Lights Ranch continue that legacy.

 

Our first reindeer, born in May 2023, is now a striking year and a half old. With soulful eyes and a calm curiosity, he carries himself with pride as he roams alongside Mabel, his mini pony companion. His gentle nature and enduring loyalty have made him a treasured part of our growing ranch family.

 

In contrast, our younger calf is a joyful bundle of energy and wonder, prancing through fields with his fuzzy nose high in the air. Always alert and attentive, he’s often the first to greet visitors with boundless curiosity. Watching him grow and develop his own unique personality has been one of our greatest joys.