This is a fast-growing practice that will change reindeer herding in fundamental ways. Increased feeding is a direct response from the herders to mitigate climate change (ice-locked winter pastures) and fragmentation and loss of pastureland. This project will create new knowledge for reindeer herders, management bodies and politicians, to better maintain good animal health and welfare and to be prepared for changes.
Secondary objectives (with reference to relevant working packages, WP):
- Document traditional knowledge on reindeer health and diseases and how it has been identified and managed by the herders both in the past and at present (WP1).
- Explore how and to which extent different feeding regimes in use today are experienced to affect animal welfare and health (WP1)
- Reveal how feeding may impact animal welfare, movement and foraging behaviour in a short and long-term perspective (WP2).
- Improve the understanding of the relationship between herding practice, hygienic conditions in the corrals and specific diseases, and identify risk factors for disease outbreaks (WP3).
- Characterize pathogens identified in reindeer and analyse their importance for reindeer health and the risks of inter-species transmission (i.e. wildlife, livestock and humans) (WP3).
- Evaluate the impact of feeding regimes on herding sustainability and culture (WP4).
Financing
The project is financed by The research Council of Norway. Read more about the project.
Cooperation
HINN, Veterinærinstituttet, NIBIO, UiT, Nordlandsforskning, Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet, University of Calgary (Canada).
