Loga sámegilli. During reindeer relocation in October last year, a tragedy unfolded. On its way, the reindeer herd to Máhkarávju siida went through the ice and over a hundred reindeer drowned at Skáiddejávri in Porsanger. The reindeer are still in and around the water. This has created challenges for the Skáiddeduottar reindeer herding district, which uses the areas as calving grounds and summer pastures. – At most there have been between 70-80 eagles in the area, says reindeer owner in Skáiddeduottar siida Anne Louise Næss Gaup. Believes that carcasses attract eagles Goose believes that the carcasses are carrion for predators, which gather in their reindeer herd. Reindeer owner in Skáiddeduottar siida, Anne Louise N. Gaup understands that it is a tragedy, but is worried about their own operation. Photo: Piera Balto / news – We are concerned that we have lost a lot of calves as a result of predators. We do not know what the consequences of this are in the long run. The fear is that this will affect the autumn’s slaughter animals and our earnings. – I understand that it has been an animal tragedy, but it is completely wrong that we should also suffer. Last autumn they pulled up a number of carcasses from the water, and they could at least have retrieved them. The municipality has not taken a position on the matter – As far as I am informed, we have not been contacted regarding this matter. But it is possible that the environment and nature manager have been contacted without my being informed, writes acting municipal director in Porsanger, Roger Martinussen, in an SMS to news. Roger Martinussen says that nothing more has been done by the municipality in this matter. Photo: Porsanger municipality Common pollution from fishing, agriculture, forestry etc. is permitted according to the Pollution Act, as long as no special regulations have been issued in this regard. Porsanger municipality, as the pollution authority, must assess whether these carcasses constitute more than ordinary pollution. – Our case managers must look into this matter in more detail before we make any further statements. – We, as the pollution control authority, must of course follow up if we deem it necessary. There are dead reindeer in and around Skáiddejávri in Porsanger. Photo: Skjerdump Wants a solution Leader of Máhkarávju siida, Mathis Somby, has not yet heard anything from the municipality. Leader of Máhkarávju siida, Mathis Somby says that they had no opportunity to remove the carcasses as they were frozen in the ice. Photo: Torgeir Varsi / news – But we have contacted the landowner, FeFo. We are in dialogue about how to do this. – Why haven’t you collected the carcasses? – One reason is because it was so early that you couldn’t get there. There was water and the reindeer was under the ice. Another reason is that there are herds of calves in the area. It was not so easy to go there, in the middle of the herds of others, says Somby. Not defined as ordinary pollution The state administrator in Troms and Finnmark says that the municipality must assess whether the demand for clean-up is disproportionate to the inconvenience and pollution risk the dead animals may pose if they are not removed. – The dead animals, as a result of this incident, cannot be defined as normal pollution that is permitted, says Per Kristian Krogstad, head of the pollution section. The frost caused the reindeer to become stuck in the ice, where they drowned in October. Photo: Mathis Somby / Privat Regarding Gaup’s concern about the “eagle problem”, Krogstad says that it is a normal reaction to a large and sudden supply of food for birds and scavengers. – If the carcasses are removed, there is probably reason to believe that the situation will eventually normalize. Read about blueberries, lingonberries, crickets and blockberries being helped by scavengers, predators and birds: Published 02.07.2024, at 14.24 Updated 02.07.2024, at 15.47
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Over a hundred reindeer drowned – to which eagles retreat and constitute a possible source of pollution – news Sápmi
