'Who Will Pull the Sleigh Now?' Reindeer on the Brink of Extinction

Reindeer, the animal famous for pulling Santa's sleigh on Christmas, are actually listed as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Listed as Vulnerable (VU) on the Red List, a list of endangered species created by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, reindeer are animals that inhabit the cold northern regions. Primarily found in North America and Northern Europe, including Canada, Finland, Greenland, and Norway, these Rudolphs are facing extinction due to the shrinking of their habitat.

As the climate changes and reindeer habitats warm up, they struggle to adapt. Reindeer are cold-weather animals that have evolved over a long period to withstand cold environments and avoid heat loss. Their bodies are perfectly designed for cold regions, with fur-covered noses for insulation, dense fur coats, and small ears to minimize heat loss. However, if their habitats suddenly become warmer due to climate change, reindeer risk succumbing to the heat. They are susceptible to heat because they have very few sweat glands. Moreover, the rise in temperature exposes them to mosquitos that have invaded their habitat, putting them at risk of various diseases. In fact, in Lapland, northern Sweden, which used to experience temperatures as low as -50°C, the temperature has risen to -20°C, causing the reindeer population to drop by over half. Polar regions, where reindeer reside, are experiencing a greater temperature increase compared to other areas.

Warming reindeer habitats not only makes it difficult for the reindeer themselves to survive but also impacts their ability to find food. Reindeer rely on plants like lichen that grow in cold regions, but the rising temperatures have made it harder for them to find food in their habitat. While they can easily dig up lichen covered by snow, the situation changes when it rains instead of snows. The rain causes the ground to freeze, making it impossible for them to access the lichen. In severe cases, reindeer are known to travel up to 100km in search of food. If they fail to find food even after such a long journey, they starve. In 2019, about 200 reindeer perished in a mass starvation event in the Svalbard archipelago, a Norwegian territory.

Human development also contributes to the decline of reindeer habitats. The clearing of forests where reindeer live has expanded human living spaces but reduced the reindeer's natural habitat. Furthermore, reindeer are frequently hunted, with poachers targeting reindeer meat and antlers. We hope that poachers will become aware that reindeer are an endangered species and cease illegal hunting.

Various environmental organizations are working hard to prevent the extinction of reindeer. First Nations have conducted research on reindeer and made efforts to protect mother and young reindeer, resulting in an increase in the reindeer population. The WWF also raises awareness about the endangered status of reindeer and conducts fundraising activities to support their protection. We hope that the intensifying climate crisis will not lead to further loss of habitat for other animals.