DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE DOMESTICATION OF ANIMALS: THE CASE OF THE MUSK OX AND THE ELAND

In recent years a determined effort has been made to domesticate new animals with most attention focusing on the eland, which is native to the arid and semi-arid areas of southern and eastern Africa, and the musk ox of arctic North America.1 The underlying purpose of these efforts is to develop lands that are currently either poorly used or not used at all. The natural habitats of the musk ox and the eland are areas plagued by cold temperatures or aridity. These regions have resisted man's attempts at agriculture. Even grazing of domestic livestock has been difficult because of harsh temperatures, lack of suitable vegetation, lack of water, or because of disease. The proponents of domestication argue that a native, wild, animal is naturally adapted to these harsh environments and can survive on the natural vegetation. Thus, it is reasoned that domestication of such animals can help establish some sort of agricultural endeavor in these under-used areas that would otherwise be impossible. The proponents of domestication of such animals are enthusiastic, however, several problems may limit the success of newly domesticated animals. The purpose of this paper is to, first, review the rationale behind attempts to domesticate the musk ox and the eland, and, secondly, to discuss some important problems that should be considered before jumping on the domestication bandwagon