Sakhalin Husky dogs who survived in Antarctica for a year

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0umrd56lXds&feature=related ; in Japanese

(actual footage of two Sakhalin Husky dogs who survived in Antarctica for a year)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0umrd56lXds&feature=related ; in Japanese

(actual footage of two Sakhalin Husky dogs who survived in Antarctica for a year)

Two Sakhalin Husky dogs, Taro and Jiro, who survived in Antarctica for a year

In February 1957, the first Japanese Antarctica expedition team constructed

the research station" Showa station" which located at 69°00′ S 39°35′ E in

Antarctica and thereafter. 11 men with 15 sled-dogs (Sakhalin Husky)

remained in Antarctica base. 

In February1958, the second team went to the Antarctica base. But the ship

was unable to get close to the base. The ship was trapped in the ice and was

rescued by American Icebreaker ship. The first team was evacuated by heli-

copter and 15 Sakhalin Husky dogs were left in the base. Cancel the second 

winter.

A rush of criticism were occurred in Japan for left the dogs in the Antarctica 

base.

January 14th,1959. one year later, the third team arrived in the base. 
They found that two dogs, named Taro and Jiro, brothers, are live ! 
Seven dogs was found in dead, at which were connected to the chain. 
Six dogs were removed the chains and missing.

Yasukazu Kitamura (born 1931. Professor Emeritus of Kyushu University, 
joined in first and third mission), who was responsible for Aurora observation 
and care-taker of dogs, described (Yasukazu Kitamura; The truth of Antarctica 
expedition team and Taro, Jiro. Shoggakukan Bunko. 2007. in Japanese) ---------

------1) Age of the dog: Taro and Jiro were the youngest among 15 dogs

---------(1~5 years old at the start of expedition). The 3~4 year old dog

---------were the main force of sled.

------2) The stored foods for human and dog in " Showa" base were intact.

---------Some types of dogs have to cannibalism during the famine. 7 dogs

---------were found in dead which were connected to chains, while the bodies

---------were intact. I think that Sakhalin dogs ate penguins, feces of seal,

---------seabirds and fishes(trapped in the ice).

------3) ----------- Since that incident, 50 years have been passed. Still,I deeply

---------regret my action that I tightened the collars of 15 dogs because I came

---------back to the base as soon as possible. If I did not, 7 dogs might be survived. 

Based on this story,Later in 2006, Walt Disney Pictures released the movie;

             Eight Below → http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eight_Below

             movie clip    → http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3eBOcWmZw4&feature=related

Keiji Hagiwara, MD

Kami-Ube Pediatric Clinic,

1-20-2 Tokiwadai, Ube 755-0097, Japan

E-mail: keijihagiwara@gmail.com

Antarctica expedition and sled dogs

In February 1957, the first Japanese Antarctica expedition team constructed

the research base " Showa station ", in which located at 69°00′ S 39°35′ E

in Antarctica. 

--------Below photos are excepts from the book(Yasukazu Kitamura:

           The first Antarctic team and Sakhalin Husky dogs. Kyoikusha. 
           in Japanese, 1982.)

Showa base

-------------------------------Antarctic expedition by dog sled.

----------------------------------Twenty two Sakhalin Husky dogs were joined.

---------- Thereafter, 11 men with 15 sled dogs (Sakhalin Husky) ,

one cat and two birds remained in Antarctica (February 1957-February 1958).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One year later, In February 1958, the second team went to the Antarctica base.
But the ship was unable to get close to the base. The ship was trapped in the ice
and was rescued by American Icebreaker ship. The first team were evacuated
by helicopter and 15 Sakhalin Husky dogs, which connected with chains, were
left in the base. Cancel the second winter.

After came back to Japan, the expedition team received a rush of criticism
for leaving the 15 dogs in the Antarctica base.

   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Eleven months later, In January 14th 1959, the third team arrived in the base.
Seven dogs were found in dead, at which were connected to the chains.
Eight dogs were removed chains and six dogs were missing.
    Surprisingly, Two dogs(Taro & Jiro) were live !

   Taro & Jiro and Yasukazu Kitamura

What they ate ? How they survived ? Prof. Kitamura discribed as follow;

1) Age of the dog: Taro and Jiro were the youngest among 15 dogs
--- ---(1~5 years old at the start of expedition). The 3~4 year old dogs
--- ---were the main force of sled.
2) Sakhalin dogs ate penguins. seabirds and fishes(trapped in the ice).
3) The store food for human and dog in base were intact.
4) Some Types of dogs have to cannibalism during the famine.
--------Seven dogs were found in dead with chains, while the bodies were intact.

P.S.:
1) Yasukazu Kitamura (born 1931. Professor Emeritus of Kyushu University,
---- joined in first & third mission), who was responsible for Aurora
-----observation and caretaker of sled dogs.

2) based on this story, In 2006, Walt Disney Pictures released the movie, 
------" Eight Below " → http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eight_Below

-------movie clip → http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3eBOcWmZw4&feature=related

Any questions:
write to Keiji Hagiwara, keijihagiwara@gmail.com