In Labrador West over the weekend, Sabrina and Junior Hunt were surprised when what they initially thought was a large pile of wood turned out to be a rare sight: a muskox. The couple spotted the muskox as they were boating to their cabin on Shabougamou Lake, approximately 30 kilometers from Labrador City.
Sabrina described the encounter with the muskox to CBC News, saying that at first, it appeared big and black, but as they approached, it became clear that it was moving. Junior recorded a video of the muskox walking along the shoreline while they were on the water, allowing them to observe the animal from a close distance of about 30 feet.
Sabrina marveled at the muskox’s appearance, noting how its fur swayed like a magical grass skirt as it leisurely roamed the area. Muskox are typically found in Arctic tundra regions, but occasional sightings have occurred in Labrador, with some herds coming from northern Quebec, as the Hunts speculated in this case.
After contacting the Department of Forestry, Agriculture, and Lands, Junior mentioned that officials were surprised by the sighting and impressed by the quality of the pictures and video they provided. In an email to CBC News, the department acknowledged the rarity of the sighting, noting that it was beyond the muskox’s usual range.
Witness the muskox’s presence in Labrador West in the video above.
