Caribou (wild reindeer) undertake some of the longest land migrations on Earth. Industrial development, climate change, and predation management all affect their welfare.
Wild caribou welfare is affected by industrial disturbance, predation management conflicts, and climate-driven habitat changes. Caribou displaced from traditional calving grounds by industrial activity must travel greater distances on already-depleted energy reserves, causing reduced calf survival and maternal welfare costs. The stress of human disturbance during calving — when females are most sensitive — causes calf abandonment and maternal physiological stress. Predator control programmes (wolf killing) to reduce caribou mortality are welfare-harmful and have uncertain long-term effectiveness without simultaneous habitat protection. Climate change is disrupting the food-timing relationships caribou depend on — calves born when vegetation has already peaked show higher mortality rates, causing welfare harm through starvation and weakness. Industrial development setback requirements from calving grounds are the most welfare-positive regulatory protection.