Helena Kristel, Musk Ox, a survivor of the Ice Age (ANIMAL & NATURE 2024)

Musk Ox at LARS (Large Animal Research Station) in Fairbanks, Alaska. It was challenging photographing the musk ox behind a wire fence which also had a barrier in front of the fence. I am intrigued by the musk ox, they survived the Ice Age. They look fascinating with the different colours, textures and various layers of wool. The musk ox have a two layered coat and shed the underlayer known as quivet in spring and grow a new insulating layer during the short arctic summer and fall. In Alaska, quivet is obtained from farmed animals or gathered from the wild during the molt. Quivet is stronger, warmer and softer than any other wool.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.