Wildlife

Wild Reindeer Climate Welfare

Wild reindeer and caribou populations face welfare threats from climate change disrupting their traditional migration routes and food access.

Key Facts

Arctic warming is twice the global average affecting reindeer habitat
Rain-on-snow events lock lichen under ice causing starvation
Changing snow conditions affect travel energy costs significantly
Caribou populations in some regions have declined over 90% in recent decades

Welfare Considerations

Wild reindeer and caribou experiencing rain-on-snow events cannot access the lichen beneath ice sheets, causing mass starvation over winter. Changing snow conditions increase energy costs of migration. Warmer summers increase insect harassment causing reduced grazing time and nutritional stress. Climate change is imposing increasing welfare burden on wild reindeer populations through multiple interacting pathways.

What You Can Do

Support strong climate action policies protecting Arctic ecosystems
Donate to reindeer and caribou population monitoring programs
Learn about climate impacts on Arctic wildlife welfare
Advocate for Arctic protection as a climate and welfare priority