Antarctica’s first and only Guernsey cow

A cow—possibly Klondike—on her way to Antarctica. CBS / GETTY IMAGES

In 1933, American naval officer Richard E. Byrd returned to the Antarctic base Little America — constructed on his previous (and first) voyage to the continent — in the interest of mapping and claiming land around the South Pole. An all-around explorer, Byrd was accustomed to spending chunks of time with expedition crews. This time, however, he had three unique companions: Deerfoot Maid, Foremost Southern Girl, and Klondike Gay Nira — Guernsey cows from Massachusetts, New York, and North Carolina. 

According to The Mariners’ Museum and Park, Byrd secured these cows’ attendance by partnering with the American Guernsey Cattle Club. The trip would promote dairy, he said, as well as the individual dairy farms the cows came from. Indeed, the cows made headlines across the nation, their leader’s thirst for adventure igniting an illustrious spark even The Great Depression couldn’t extinguish. 

Klondike was pregnant upon boarding the southern-bound ship — intentionally. Byrd’s hope was that she would give birth within the Antarctic circle. Alas, the calf, Iceberg, was born just north of it. Still, Iceberg quickly became an American hero, spawning books and comics and ads telling the tale of his singular journey.

During the latter part of the trip, Klondike acquired frostbite and had to be put down. Additionally, young Iceberg returned home with rickets and a severe Vitamin D deficiency. This is not terribly surprising, since cows are typically comfortable at temperatures 20 degrees F and above, but it raises questions as to whether the Guernseys should have been brought to Antarctica in the first place, and if Byrd would have been permitted to bring them there today. Regardless, the expedition lives on in Antarctic and dairy lore alike. 

How many cows can say they’ve traveled beyond their pasture or barn? Iceberg went where no cow has gone before. And where no cow probably ever will again. 

Source: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Richard-E-Byrd/Byrds-accomplishments