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From the March 5, 1960 News-Miner:

THE POLAR BEAR — Here are a batch of interesting statistics given by Bob Rausch, game management biologist for the state, at a recent meeting of the Alaska Conservation Society:

The animals are circumpolar; are hunted as seal predators off Norway, for food by the Canadian Eskimos, are probably protected by the Russians, and are used for food and game in Alaska.

Kills in Alaska have averaged over the past five years a total of 160 per annum; highest was 226 in 1959. But 400 to 500 are killed yearly in Canada, and 150 to 300 in Norway.

The "average" polar bear is killed 52 miles off the Alaskan coast, although Eskimos rarely venture more than 15 miles off shore in quest of the white bear. The high average comes from far-at-sea, air hunting by trophy seekers.

Natives mostly hunt in November, December and January; the trophy hunters go after their animals in March and April.

No accurate total population figures, for either Alaska or the entire polar area, are available.

Studies indicate the Alaskan take is not excessive and the bears are in no danger of being wiped out.

And, finally, if you are a non-resident, it will cost you $150 to hunt between Oct. 15 and May 1; if you are a resident, you can shoot a bear — except a sow with cubs — at any time of the year if your purpose is food.

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CHALLENGE ISSUED — University of Alaska students have issued a challenge to collegians around the world with their entry of a hard-shelled quadruped in the first international, intercollegiate turtle race.

The intercollegiate turtle race is being sponsored by University of Detroit students during their spring carnival to raise funds for various student-organization projects. Six trophies are offered in the IITR.

In accepting the entry invitation, Ken Kareen, president of Associated Students, University of Alaska, requested that the Detroit collegians secure a turtle for the ASUA collegians as none are indiginous to the farthest north state. Kareen also asked that the ASUA turtle be named "Nanook."

The ASUA challenge added "Trusting you and your good judgment in selecting fast racing turtles, we assume that Nanook will bolt from the starting gate and flash across the finish line. However, we wish to express our fears that a turtle with such a ferocious name, if not warned ahead of time as to the object of the game, might turn it into an elimination contest. If this should take place, we are certain that Nanook will eliminate all other contenders.

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LOW BUFFALO LOSSES — Buffalo losses from the Fort Greely-Delta herd during the past winter were at an abnormal low of only one calf which became ill last fall and had to be destroyed.

Normally several buffalo have to be destroyed due to illness or undernourishment. The bison have fared extremely well and there should be more yearlings this spring than in many years.

Fort Greely has hosted several hundred buffalo in past years. They often camp on door steps and peer into windows. MP's have had to route the bison away from doorsteps and sidewalks so children could get to school.

The buffalo have wintered in the area of the old Richardson Highway between Delta Junction and Big Delta. Occasionally small groups of buffalo were seen on the post.

No white buffalo has been found in the herd as yet. Biologists feel that one may be born this year. At least two organizations are interested in finding a white calf.