St. Matthew Island reindeer herd grew to 6,000 then collapsed to zero
In 1944, 29 reindeer were introduced to St. Matthew Island, a remote Alaskan landmass. The population expanded rapidly, reaching over 6,000 animals within two decades. The growing herd exhausted the island's lichen supply through severe overgrazing, leaving little food in reserve. A brutal winter in 1963–1964, marked by heavy blizzards and deep snow, cut the animals off from their already depleted food sources. With no way to sustain themselves, the entire herd perished, leaving the island completely without reindeer.
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