The wild forest reindeer (Rangifer tarandus fennicus) of Finland: Conservation and recovery of historic range

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The Finnish wild forest reindeer (Rangifer tarandus fennicus) is a subspecies of the large and widespread reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) population. The (sub)speciation took place during the last ice age and, since then, there have been major changes in the Finnish forest reindeer’s range. Once commonplace in the region, by the early 1900s, the subspecies had become extinct in Finland and Sweden. Today, the Finnish population is a result of migration from Russian Karelia and the release of captive-bred stock. The current world population in Finland and Russia together is approximately made up of  5 000 exemplars, of which the Finnish population makes up for around 3 000 of them.

The wild forest reindeer (WFR) is listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive and, at the start of the project, its conservation status was assessed as “unfavourable-inadequate” in the most recent Article 17 reporting. It is listed as “near threatened” in the 2010 Red List of Finnish Species, following the categorisation of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The major threats to the subspecies are excessive mortality caused by large carnivores and traffic, and the potential genetic dangers of crossbreeding with the semi-domestic reindeer. Habitat change is exacerbating large carnivore predation.

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of WildForestReindeerLIFE was to achieve a “favourable” conservation status for the Finnish forest reindeer by 2023. This was done by extending its range, reducing mortality rates and improving genetic diversity in wild and ex situ populations in Finland and Sweden.

Given the successes of the project, expectations are that it will empower relevant authorities and stakeholders in reintroducing the subspecies in other parts of Fennoscandia.

Specific objectives were to:

• increase the range of the species via reintroductions in two Natura 2000 areas;
• prevent cross-breeding with semi-domestic reindeer;
• improve the genetic diversity and viability of a small and isolated in situ subpopulation in Finland;
• improve the genetic diversity of the ex situ population both in Finland and in Sweden;
• reduce species mortality;
• improve habitat in multi-use forest landscapes; 
• improve knowledge of Finnish forest reindeer conservation and management in local communities and among the general public.

RESULTS

The main results and quantifiable environmental benefits as reported in the Final Report encompass the following landmark achievements:  

• the WFR population has increased in Finland and EU from 2 000 to 3 000 individuals during the project‘s implementation; 
• the WFR range extension has increased in Finland and EU from 25 000 to 48 000 km2 during the project. 
• 96 Natura 2000 areas will be assigned for WFR conservation by the Ministry of the Environment. 

In addition, the status of the WFR changed from unfavourable to favourable. However, despite the positive population development, wild forest reindeer conservation will require active management efforts in the future. 

The project objectives have been well achieved through the implementation the project activities as planned. Among them:

82 WFR individuals were released into the Natura 2000 areas Lauhanvuori FI0800001 and Seitseminen FI0311002 by the end of the project. It is estimated that approximately 30 calves have been born in the wild in the vicinity of the said Natura 2000 areas (action C1).

1. A total of 70 incidents out of a total of 143 that might have led to a risk of crossbreeding have been prevented (action C3). It was previously assumed that the crossbreeding risk between WFR and semi-domestic reindeer would decrease over time. However, this did not occur, partly due to the fact that monitoring of cases has become more efficient with the project, but more importantly, because the sub-population of Suomenselkä has been clearly increasing. The pressure for the expanding Suomenselkä sub-population to spread towards summer habitats in the reindeer herding area in Northern Ostrobothnia has been constant. The difficult situation in Suomenselkä is illustrated by the number of forest reindeer that have ended up being euthanised from 2021 to 2023. The project concluded that the need for a planned conservation fence in that region is pressing.
2. 4 wild-caught WFR females and their 3 calves from Kainuu subpopulation were released for reinforcement into the Natura 2000 area Aittosuo-Leppäsuo-Uitusharju FI0900005. At the end of the project, all 4 were remaining alive among the Suomenselkä subpopulation. Another 4 calves (minimum) with mixed genome (Kainuu x Suomenselkä) were born by the above 4 females post-release in the wild (action C2). The activity had undergone revision during the implementation and the final evaluation concluded that the result is one of the most significant achievements of the entire project.   
3. All 6 of the minimum 6 planned wild individuals were introduced to the partner Zoos. One died before contributing to the ex situ genetic diversity. All those transported were breeding bulls. These bulls have sired 31 F1 descendants and 2 F2 descendants by the end of the project. The CWD (chronic wasting disease) caused problems as transfers between zoos were not possible. During the last stages of the project, 7 individuals carrying wild genes were transported to Swedish zoos, two to Denmark and one to Latvia..  
4. Several unnecessary accidents have been avoided (action C5) by involving the relevant stakeholders agreeing to a streamlined guidance for warning sign placement. Regarding poaching and disturbance, it became apparent during the project that this threat has not represented a concern. 
5. The project restored 57 ha of bog habitat suitable for WFR. However, during the project, a total of 26 138 ha of bog habitats have been restored outside the reindeer herding area using other sources of funding. A substantial proportion of recent restorations have been carried out in areas important in WFR conservation. Consequently, the budget for this activity was directed to support objective 7 by organising a final seminar not foreseen in the initial plans (action C7). 
6. Dissemination activities during the project have been intensive and thorough. All partners have participated, and the zoos have had particularly important roles. Information sharing on transportation and reallocation of animals is challenging when prioritising the best interest and wellbeing of animals. The project managed this excellently.  
7. The project has conducted a thorough socioeconomic assessment (action D5) using a public online questionnaire to collect the data (Webropol). When respondents were asked whether they primarily perceived the forest reindeer reintroduction as positive or negative in the national park and its surrounding areas, 91% of all respondents reported a positive perception. 
8. Key personnel in the project have been working in wildlife research and management throughout the 2000s. Over time, they have gained a good grasp of prevailing perceptions in public discourse, as well as the knowledge and grey areas behind public speech. Although beneficiaries did not measure any change in perception, they empirically state that there has been a tremendous leap in public and official WFR knowledge during the project. Citizens have been discussing WFR on online forums with solid knowledge, and police officers arriving at WFR collision scenes are able to correctly identify the species involved on most occasions.
9. Rough estimations have that at least 90% of the WFR-related news during the project’s duration was directly or indirectly linked to the project. From this, the project drew the realistic conclusion that the communication and dissemination of results have had a significant positive impact on WFR awareness.