The Concerning Decline of the Reindeer Population

When most people think of reindeer, they think of Santa Claus, Christmas and Rudolph, but the truth about these animals is much drearier. Placed on the International Union for Conservations of Nature’s Red List with a Vulnerable status in 2016, reindeer are the topic of conservation efforts throughout a good portion of the world.

About the Reindeer

Reindeer can be found in the United States, the Russian Federation, Mongolia, Greenland, Finland, and Canada. They’ve also been introduced as residents in the South Sandwich Islands, South Georgia, Iceland, and the Falkland Islands. It’s predicted that almost 2.9 million reindeer are left in the population, but that number decreases daily. In just the last 10-25 years, there was a 40% decline in population, from 4.8 million to the current 2.9 million. While the reindeer isn’t the most endangered animal, the decreasing trajectory is problematic when you look at the long-term history of the wild caribou and reindeer.

Reindeer are the only species of deer where both males and females can grow antlers. Male reindeer often weigh three times the weight of an average person, while females are a bit smaller. They prefer to eat moss-like fungi called lichen that’s often found in open, high spaces. They can live up to 15 years in the wild, and almost 20 years when domesticated. 

Because they spend 90% of their lives in snowy conditions, reindeer have adapted to their habitat. They have two cloven hooves that make it easier to stand on soft ground and snow. They also have hollow fur that holds heat, and they can swim. Contrary to popular belief, however, reindeer cannot fly.

Reindeer are not dangerous and will not confront humans. If you come across one during hunting season in the wild, though, you should walk away from it. Their rutting season — the time when they mate — lasts from the end of September and ends in November. During this time, the males gather a harem of females and become very territorial of them. If you come across a reindeer during rutting season, do not walk between the male and female.

Male reindeer often defend their females against other males by clashing antlers. This strengthens their position of dominance and awakens the female’s hormones. The reindeer’s equivalent of dating is simply watching males fight and clash to impress the girls.

By the Numbers

Russia

Russia was home to more than 5 million caribou in the late 1800s. By the 1960s, that number dropped to 250,000 but recovered slightly in the 1990s. Economic and social changes in Russia are listed as the reason for the population decline. Several sub-species of reindeer are critically endangered or missing completely from Russia, and monitoring the migration process is difficult because of the size and difficulty of Russia’s terrain.

Alaska

In 1994, reindeer hit peak numbers in Alaska at 1.1 million, then decreased to 660,000 today. Smaller herds travel in packs of 2,500 reindeer or less while there are a few herds with more than 30,000 reindeer. During observation, some herds increased while others decreased.

Canada

Reindeer have declined in Canada by 52% over three generations. With so many different types of reindeer, the decline is not specific to one herd or type of reindeer. Canada’s vast wilderness makes it complicated to track the herds, but efforts are being made to introduce new herds to the local population.

Greenland

In Greenland, the reindeer population peaked in the 1990s, but is now declining. Experts estimate that there are around 75,000 reindeer remaining in Greenland. 

Norway

Reindeer live in the mountains of southern Norway, and it’s estimated there are around 6,000 left in the wild. Scientists expect the changes to level out as hunting regulations are enforced. The herds include both domesticated and wild reindeer.

Finland

Finland is home to around 3,000 wild forest reindeer and they’re separated into two types: Semi-domesticated mountain reindeer and Finnish forest reindeer. Most of the reindeer populations live in Lapland, the Helsinki area and around northern Lakeland.

Threats Reindeer Face

As you can see, the reindeer population (both wild and domesticated) is dwindling in many places. This is due to several factors.

Disease

Reindeer are susceptible to disease, just like any other animal. As white-tailed deer move into their areas, they bring a parasite that can kill a reindeer. They are also in danger from chronic wasting disease, which is a neurological disease caused by misfolded proteins that lead to dead brain cells. Because affected animals can appear healthy for years, they often spread the disease long before it can be controlled.

Humans

As humans explore more of the planet for gas and oil, logging, industrial development and road construction, they increasingly encroach on the reindeer’s habitat. Humans also hunt reindeer for meat, clothing, bones, sinew and antlers. Even in prehistoric times, reindeer provided marrow fats and hides for clothing along with meat for food.

Predators

As mentioned before, reindeer have their own place in the circle of life. They are prey for animals like coyotes, mountain lions, Arctic foxes, lynx and bears. Injured, sick, weak, old and young reindeer are the most at risk when it comes to predators. They may gather into herds, outrun, wander or hide to avoid and outsmart predators, but some still fall victim to the food chain.

Climate Change

Climate change affects many animals in several different ways. As the planet heats, reindeer are greatly affected.

• Snow-covered season: The planet’s rising temperature reduces the snow-covered season, and may lead to seasonal floods that form barriers to migration and herding.
• Ice-locked pastures: Rising temperatures also increase the chance of ice-locked pastures (frozen feeding ground), which impact reindeer survival, reproductive success and body mass.
• Behavioral changes: Reindeer are extremely sensitive to the temperature and weather, and may delay their rutting or breeding season if they sense a difference or problem.
• Food sources: Climate change leads to higher treelines, which means lichen is replaced with moss and reindeer lose their food source.

Conservation Efforts for the Reindeer

Reindeer are vital to the tundra ecosystem, as they help keep it healthy by spreading seeds, grazing and adding nitrogen to the soil. To protect the tundra and the reindeer, there are conservation efforts in place all over the world.

In Finland, reindeer are born in captivity and then released into specialized areas where they are safe. They are also tagged with GPS collars so scientists can identify threats and track their movements.

In the United States, reindeer are protected under the Endangered Species Act. They were added in December of 2022 by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service as a federally protected species. This added regulations to hunting and trading to protect reindeer from population decline.

In Canada, Indigenous peoples and the government pair with Nature United to identify good areas for conservation for captive breeding and tracking of reindeer.

How You Can Help

There are many ways the average person can protect reindeer. Always follow hunting laws. Support Indigenous communities that have extensive knowledge about reindeer and advocate for habitat protection. Avoid using live reindeer in any Christmas or holiday programs, and donate to an organization like the National Wildlife Federation to support them in their efforts to increase the reindeer population.