The Finnish forest reindeer
The Finnish forest reindeer (Rangifer tarandus fennicus) is related to other deer such as elk and red deer. Reindeer are the only deer in which both females and males have antlers.
No wild reindeer in Sweden
The Finnish forest reindeer became extinct in Sweden in the late 19th century due to hunting. The only reindeer currently in Sweden are a domesticated variety of the mountain reindeer, kept mainly by reindeer herding Sami. The Finnish forest reindeer is mainly found in Finland and northwestern Russia.
Bigger than the reindeer
The Finnish forest reindeer is larger than the domestic reindeer and has longer legs. They also have more upright horns that make it easier for them to move between trees. The male has larger horns than the female. Both shed their horns every year: males in winter after the rut and females in spring after calving.
Clicking contact inside the group
Forest reindeer live in groups, but for parts of the year the adult males walk alone before joining female groups in mating season. When the reindeer walk, they make a clicking sound. It's caused by a tendon in the hooves that slides over a bone spur that causes the sound. No one knows for sure, but perhaps the sound helps the reindeer stay together when visibility is poor due to fog, snow and darkness.
Loves lichens
Reindeer eat grasses, herbs, shoots and mushrooms. In winter, they mainly feed on lichens and browse they find under the snow. They can smell their way to the food even if it's covered by a thick layer of snow. Reindeer also tend to eat lichen from trees.
Quick facts
Food: Grasses, herbs, leaves, lichens, browse
Weight: Up to 180 kg
Height: Up to 140 cm
Mating season: Autumn
Young: 1 calf born in May
Lifespan: Up to 20 years
Wild reindeer are no longer found in Swedish forests
Migrated here after the Ice Age
Finnish forest reindeer have existed in Sweden for thousands of years. However, extensive hunting of the reindeer eventually led to its extinction. Today, the species is found in Russian parts of Karelia and has been re-established in Finland. The Finnish Forest reindeer reproduce slowly and are classified as endangered.
Preservation for the future
In Finland, as in Sweden, the Finnish Forest reindeer was once extinct, but has since been re-established. Reindeer have migrated from Russia and efforts have been made to increase their numbers. This has been done with the help of animals from zoos that are part of the European Zoological Society's conservation project for the species. The reindeer in Slottsskogen are all part of this project.
People cause threats
Zoos carry out conservation efforts in various ways. An example of this is releasing animals into the wild or raising public awareness and engagement. Increasing public awareness about the threats to species – and what's needed to reduce those threats – is important because the threats are often caused by us humans.
Threats to the Finnish Forest reindeer outside Sweden
Conventional forestry
The lack of natural forests with a rich biodiversity reduces the availability of food for animals, such as lichens.
Reduced habitats
The expansion of agriculture, the draining of wetlands and the development of wind power are just a few examples of activities that has reduced their habitats.
Climate change
In winter, the temperature goes back and forth between cold and warm, which causes a crust of ice to form on the ground. This prevents reindeer from reaching the lichens, which are an important source of food for them during the winter.
Hunting
Hunting by humans, but also by natural predators.