Cambridge Bay (May 23/05) - When first discovered by an aviation ground crew, the baby muskox was near death.

The crew, concerned for the animal's safety, got out of their truck and moved the animal off the road before returning to the airport.

Bea Briscoe feeds Chance one of his meals, normal milk. The baby muskox was found near the Cambridge Bay airport, his umbilical cord still attached and his herd nowhere to be found.

However, their worry grew and soon they were searching the tundra by snowmobile for the lost calf's herd.

The infant muskox, umbilical cord still attached, was, "rather weak and a little dehydrated," said Joann Laserich, base manager for Adlair Aviation. Even so, as she returned to check on it, it forced itself off the ground and followed her, crying, until she brought it to the warmth of a hanger, only a mile away.

"He desperately wanted to live," Laserich said.

It was this first impression of the dying animal that inspired her to name it Chance.

"As in last chance," Laserich said.

Now, nearly recovered with his herd nowhere to be found, Chance has been living comfortably in the hanger since he was found on May 12.

"I think he's gained five pounds," Laserich said. "He likes sleeping under the Learjet."

She sought the advice of community members Jessie and Bill Lyall, who also happened upon a muskox calf 10 years ago near their camp, for help on caring for Chance. They advised her to feed him normal milk.

Laserich and her crew are taking turns feeding Chance every five hours. They also exercise him three times a day.

Chance is always happy to return to the hanger, sometimes running in ahead of his keepers. He even comes when he is called.

Laserich is quick to point out they are not trying to teach him any tricks though.

"He's not a pet and he's not there for our entertainment," she said. "Our contact with him is minimal."

Yukon bound

Chance is now off to the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, just north of Whitehorse.

The 250-acre preserve already has four baby muskox and 14 adults.

The wildlife preserve expected Chance after a visit to a veterinarian in Yellowknife over the weekend.