Evenk Reindeer

The Evenk Reindeer breed was formed by the Evenk people, or their ancestors, and is distributed everywhere this northern nationality lives. It is considered to be the oldest reindeer breed and to have been the basis for developing other breeds. Deer raising for transport originated in southern Siberia, around Lake Baikal, Tuva ASSR, Altai territory, where the ancestors of the present-day Evenks dwelt. As a draft animal, which could also be used for riding and pack carrying, a large and tall deer was needed, like the present-day Evenk breed. The ancient origin of this breed is proved, among other things, by its differentiation into special strains.

The total number of Evenk reindeer amounts to about 250,000 head. They are reared in the Taiga zone of Siberia and the Far East from the Yenisei to the coast of the sea of Okhotsk and Sakhalin Island. Most of them are in the Evenk Autonomous District, Yakutia, Buryatia and Tuva, Khabarovsk territory, Irkutsk, Chita, and Amur regions. Large size is a distinguishing feature of reindeer in the Tava ASSR and Irkutsk region. They form an independent variety - the Tuva-Tofalor type.

The prevailing color is light brown, but in eastern areas a considerable number of gray animals can be seen.

The animals of this breed are known for their high load-carrying capacity and endurance and are still extensively used for transport.

As regards meat production, they are second to no other breed of reindeer. The weight of fat adult stags is 70-85 kg, that of hinds 50-60 kg, the meat yield being 48-49%.

The Evenk breed is well adapted to Taiga conditions. In winter they easily scrape away snow to get their food and can dig holes over one meter deep. In summer and autumn the herd spreads far away from the fenced enclosures. During the rutting season, they often stay in separate groups or herds.

A state pedigree station, Surindinski, has been set up, where the best specimens of the Evenk breed have been concentrated. This is actually the only pedigree reindeer farm in the world. The entire range of breeding work is being carried out here and the genetic structure of the population is being investigated, as regards blood groups. On the basis of these data is is possible, for the first time, to establish the fawns paternity, which permits the introduction of line-breeding, as is done with animals such as horses.