20th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
Reindeer getting herded on Nunivak Island, Alaska

Since being introduced in 1920, reindeer have freely roamed Nunivak Island, where the lone native village of Mekoryuk (population 300) is situated. Each winter, reindeer are herded by snow machine to corrals, where they are harvested to provide food for locals as well as for export. Strict population management methods are imposed, as the herd size can fluctuate wildly from year to year based on weather and food resources. This photo was taken at sunset, after the culling and just before they were let back out to roam the island.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 01.2019
Date Uploaded: 11.2022
Photo Location: Mekoryuk, Alaska, United States of America
Copyright: © Kris Cheng