Strong, Fast, Elegant, United…

The symbol for which the Associated Bus Company Limited, operators of ABC Transport, is known and from where this magazine derives its name is an intriguing one. Reindeer is an animal that has many peculiarities. It is strong, fast, and elegant and moves in the association of fellow reindeers.

The Reindeer is a mammal of the order of cross-check (Even-toed hoofed mammals). It comes in various sizes. While many of them have antlers or horns on their heads, male reindeers have solid limy antlers on their heads. These antlers are shed and grown afresh each year. Their legs are usually long with two (rarely four) functional on each foot.

They belong to the family of carvidae (deer) and are also called (Caribou Rangifer). Arctic deers are domesticated in some Polar Regions, ranging from Spitsbergen and Scandinavia to Eastern Siberia. They are also found in North America where there are two ground Caribou of the Tuncra and Taiga, and the Woodland Caribou of Canadian forests. These two are game animals cherished for meat, hides and antlers. The third type, known as Mountain Caribou, is regioned by sportsmen. Reindeers differ from all other deers in that both sexes have antlers. However, those of the female are smaller and simpler. The antlers are long with moderate branching on both main beams and forwardly pointing brow tines. The Reindeer weighs as much as 300kg and stands 0.7 - 1.4m (2.3 - 4.0 feet) at the shoulder. The small-domesticated races are about the size of donkeys. They are stockily built and have large literal hooves, which allow the feet to spread on snow or soft ground. The skin cover is thick and consists of hard, brittle outer hairs covering a dense underfur.

These animals are strong swimmers, always-found in herds, an attribute which the Associate Bus Company Limited seem to have adopted so well. ABC Transport moves in association (like the Reindeer) with the passengers. The Reindeer is famous for seasonal migration between the summer and winter ranges. They breed in fall during which two calves are born after gestation of seven and half months. The staple food for these animals is lichen, popularly called the Reindeer Moss, which the animals reach scraping the snow away with their feet. In summer, their diet includes grasses and saplings.

Reindeer moss (Caledonia rangifernia) is a fructose (bushy, branched) lichen found in great abundance in lands. It is an erect, many branched plant that grows up to 8cm high, covers immense areas and serves as pasture for reindeer. Its period of most rapid growth are spring and fall when high humidity and cool temperature prevail. The main enemies of reindeer are humans, wolves and lynx. The reindeer of the lapps is kept as pack animal for its meat, milk, and hides used in tents, boots and clothing. In Siberia, the reindeer is also used as pack animals and as mounts.

Story By:
Mrs. Ngozi Nneji