Aleutian wild cattle

Aleutian wild cattle are feral wild cattle found on the Alaskan Aleutian islands. Several attempts have been made to round up these cattle for ranching. ^{[1] [2]} From 1985 to 1986, the cattle on the Shumagin Islands were eliminated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, ^{[3] [4]} but they still remain on Umnak Island and Chirikof Island. ^{[2] [5]} As of 2023 ^[update] , there were approximately 2,000 cattle on the island. ^[6] Their origins are not known; genetic testing shows them to be genetically distinct from common American commercial breeds, though related to Highland cattle. ^{[7] [8]}

References

1. "New Cattle Ranch in Aleutians Will Round Up the Wild Herds". The New York Times . 1929-01-20. Retrieved 2008-07-05.
2. "Ranching the Aleutians". Alaska Business Monthly. 1999-04-01. Retrieved 2008-07-05.
3. "U.S. Will Resume Killing Cattle on 3 Aleutian Refuge Islands". Associated Press. 1985-09-15. Retrieved 2008-07-05.
4. "Native Corporation: Fish and Wildlife Service Not Welcome". Anchorage Daily News . 1986-10-31. Retrieved 2008-07-05.
5. "Alaska Isle a Corral for Feral Cattle Herd; U.S. Wants to Trade Cows for Birds". The Washington Post . 2005-10-23. Archived from the original on 2012-10-20. Retrieved 2008-07-05.
6. Isabella, Jude (2023-08-15). "The Republic of Cows". Hakai Magazine. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
7. McGinnis, Laura (2008-09-09). "Feral Cattle Isolated and Genetically Distinct". USDA Agricultural Research Service. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
8. McGinnis, Laura (September 2008). "Feral Cattle on Chirikof Island Isolated and Genetically Distinct". Agricultural Research. Vol. 56, no. 8. USDA. p. 15. Retrieved 2025-02-23.