Summary There is a record low number of reindeer calves in relation to the number of females (simles) and young animals in the Knutshø reindeer area, which worries researchers. Researchers believe that there is infection by parasites from grazing sheep, but are unsure of what significance this has. The wild reindeer tribe in Dovre/Rondane is the one with the least admixture of domestic reindeer in Europe, and is therefore particularly important. Professionals are working on a new research and development project on wild reindeer in Snøhetta and Knutshø, including GPS marking of reindeer. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalist before publication. – This is very worrying, says senior researcher Brage Bremset Hansen at the Norwegian Institute for Natural Research (NINA). In the Knutshø reindeer area, an average of 34 calves per 100 simls (females) and young animals. – This is very low, and comes at the top of a development we have seen over a long period of time, says Hansen. He adds that the researchers have no clear answer as to what is the cause. The low proportion of calves appears after the last calf count. Parasites from sheep Researchers believe that there is an infection of parasites from grazing sheep. At the same time, they are unsure of how important it is. – It may be that wild reindeer are to some extent resistant to this type of infection. Thus, it is uncertain whether it will have consequences for reproduction or survival, says Hansen. Six out of ten national reindeer areas do not meet the requirements for the good condition of a reindeer area. The wild reindeer area Dovre/Rondane is among them. Photo: SCREEN DUMP/REPORT FROM NINA Knutshø belongs to the large wild reindeer area Dovre/Rondane, and must not be confused with the mountain peak Knutshøe in Jotunheimen. The wild reindeer populations in Dovre/Rondane are the ones in Europe with the least admixture of domestic reindeer. Therefore, the researchers believe that it is dramatic when there is a record low proportion of calves born in Knutshø. – The worst thing is that this also applies to several neighboring areas. The entire Dovre region is generally poor, says Hansen. Senior researcher Brage Bremset Hansen at NINA is concerned about the decline in wild reindeer calves. Photo: Geir Olav Slåen / news Uncertain about the effect of predators All municipalities in the mountain region of Inlandet will issue statements this autumn on what kind of wild reindeer measures should be implemented. It is a highly engaged debate, where different interests in hunting, management, tourism and nature conservation collide. This week there have been public meetings about wild reindeer in both Otta and Dombås. There, several accusations emerged that the predator effect has been underestimated. The local population points to a number of examples of wolverines and golden eagles attacking wild reindeer calves. – We don’t know enough about the effect of predators on the low calf numbers. Predators such as wolverines and golden eagles can probably play a bigger role in some wild reindeer areas than previously thought, says Hansen. He believes that we lack research and documentation on this, and that an important part of the process is listening to the local population and hunters. Wild reindeer at Hjerkinn on Dovrefjell. Photo: Geir Olav Slåen Disturbances from humans news published an article last week about the reindeer herding that runs between the Rondvassbu tourist cabin and the Spranget car park in Rondane. There it emerged that this wild reindeer habitat has almost disappeared. Wild reindeer interests therefore want to move the car park three kilometers away from the national park. The idea is that this should cause less disruption. Here, salt stones have been set out for sheep in the Knutshø wild reindeer area, but this is also popular among the reindeer. Photo: Viltkamera, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research Bremset Hansen confirms that there are also low birth rates for this area, but is unsure whether human traffic here in isolation leads to fewer calves. – The reason is probably more complex. All monners leave, and unfortunately in the wrong direction. – Moving the car park at Spranget will very likely have a positive effect on the wild reindeer in Rondane Nord. Then others get to say whether it should be done or not, he says. Varying figures for the rest of the country Things are generally better further south in Norway, according to the latest figures. But there were low numbers in Setesdal-Ryfylke, especially in the south, where there is also hunting protection this year. The report points out that 45 calves per 100 young animals on Hardangervidda is not high either. Here, measures against scrapie have now been initiated. GPS tagging of reindeer – But if the problem is a lack of knowledge, what can be done about it? – We are now starting a new research project on wild reindeer in Snøhetta and Knutshø. GPS marking of reindeer was carried out in Snøhetta this winter, and the same in Knutshø next winter. Similarly, we have an ongoing project in Rondane. Published 05.09.2024, at 17.39
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Record low number of calves worries researchers – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio
