Reindeer Herding and Animal Welfare

Reindeer herding by indigenous communities is both culturally significant and economically important, but intensification and climate change are creating new welfare challenges for reindeer populations.

Key Facts

Approximately 2.5 million semi-domesticated reindeer are herded by indigenous peoples across the Arctic
Climate change is creating ice-over events where frozen ground prevents reindeer from reaching lichens
Supplemental feeding during ice-over events reduces starvation but changes reindeer behavior and health
Herding practices including helicopter use during roundups cause significant stress in reindeer
Traditional herding knowledge integrates welfare-sensitive practices developed over centuries

Welfare Considerations

Reindeer in traditional herding systems have long histories of co-adaptation with herding communities, but intensification pressures and climate change are disrupting the balance. Ice-over events caused by freeze-thaw cycles trap forage under ice, causing starvation in reindeer unable to reach lichens. Supplemental feeding addresses acute starvation risk but creates new management challenges. Helicopter-based herding creates acute stress. Supporting indigenous herding communities to adapt to climate change while maintaining welfare-sensitive practices is the priority.

What You Can Do

Support indigenous reindeer herding community rights and climate adaptation resources
Buy products from indigenous reindeer herding communities that practice traditional welfare-sensitive methods
Advocate for climate action as a reindeer welfare intervention
Support research into ice-over event early warning and emergency feeding logistics
Learn about traditional reindeer herding knowledge and its welfare-relevant practices