To step across the tundra and come face to face with the muskox will leave you feeling in awe. These are historic animals of the far north, descended from the Pleistocene Era, 10,000 years ago, and uniquely suited to thrive grazing across the tundra regions of the high Arctic. These large shaggy animals have distinctive curved horns and exude a quiet strength and determination. Nunavut boats a population of over 60,000 muskox, scattered in smaller herds throughout the tundra in the Kivalliq and Kitikmeot Region. The animals are prized for their warm and luxurious wool, qiviut. Qiviut is one of the lightest and warmest wools in the world – softer than cashmere and doesn’t shrink when wet. It keeps the musk ox warm in the winter and after being shed in the spring, is gathered by Inuit to make scarves, hats and hoods. 

Local Outfitters in Cambridge Bay, Baker Lake, Gjoa Haven and Grise Fiord can bring you close to mighty muskox, who migrate nearby.