Alaska to allow hunting of doomed musk oxen that float away on sea ice

• Stocky, long-haired animals are poor swimmers and face certain death on ice
• Initiative comes at request of tiny native hunting community

Alaska big game officials have legalised an unusual hunt that will take a boat and a bold hand. Starting on Thursday, Alaska residents can harvest musk oxen that wander on to Bering Sea ice and become stranded when floes break and drift off.

Musk oxen stranded on ice are doomed to drown or starve, said Patrick Jones, assistant state area biologist.