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Recently, the residents of Svenstavik have had an unusual visit.
The musk ox Brutus, as the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency calls it, seems to have been lost in society.
– He looks more and more gloomy with each passing day, says local resident Micke Ling.
On Sunday morning, the musk ox Brutus entered the heart of the community and wandered around the Svenstavik school.
– It gets closer and closer to humans and is found in the plots. At the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency it says you should stay away, but it becomes quite difficult when you get that close, says Micke Ling, who lives nearby.
According to Bengt Warensjö, who is part of Myskoxcentrum, a voluntary organization for the conservation of the musk ox in Sweden, Brutus has been on the move for two years.
– He and another bull ran away together at first, but for some reason they got separated and have been buzzing in each other’s direction ever since, he says.
Looks sad
The musk ox began to appear in the field about a week ago. Right now is the mating season for musk oxen, whose Swedish population lives mainly in Härjedalen. Then there is often a fierce battle over which bulls should be able to mate with the cows. Dominant herd bulls can scare away opponents who lose bar matches. That is what Bengt Warensjö believes has happened to Brutus.
According to Micke Ling, the big animal doesn’t look that good.
– He looks more and more gloomy with each passing day. I just don’t think he will find a home, he says.
Conservation expert from the World Wide Fund for Nature Tom Arnbom, on the other hand, doesn’t think he needs to worry about Brutus’ condition. It is not uncommon to go out to mate to find a new flock.
Photo: Mariana Zackrisson
Mysoxen Brutus.
– There are just over ten musk oxen in Sweden and in that herd there are mostly males. So they can go on a hike from time to time to find new females. They often want to stay above the treeline, so now it’s finished a little too low, perhaps, he says.
Musk deer are herd animals, but they can fend for themselves. But since there are no more natural flocks in Sweden, it is in vain. In Brutu’s case, it may be tens of miles from the original flock’s usual habitat in Härjedalen. But there may be good reasons for trying to remove Brutus from the Svenstavik community.
Keep distance
– They are respectful like Satan, says Micke Ling after seeing Brutus up close several times a week.
It is not directly dangerous for the public to have a musk ox in the area. Maybe you stay in society because there are so many flower beds and herbs to eat. But Tom Arnbom still wants to lift a warning finger for the locals.
– Keep your distance! Especially if you are walking a dog, which can irritate Brutus. They have very tough horns and heads. When he is going to attack, he can run very fast, he goes faster than you think,
The musk ox will probably soon walk away from society and move on, just as it has for the past two years. It is not impossible that Brutus will finally find his way home again, which Bengt Warensjö of Myskoxcentret hopes. Previously, the center has helped put the musk oxen that have ended up working to sleep and taken them home up the mountain by helicopter.
– Then the county administrative board paid, but now we have no resources for it. We’re incredibly disappointed by that, it’s like they don’t care to save the musk ox. We would have had to move these bulls to the mountains again, he says.
Photo: Mariana Zackrisson
Mysoxen Brutus
Photo: Mariana Zackrisson
Mysoxen Brutus
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