Europe’s last wild reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) can be found in some of Norway’s national parks. The reindeer persist in 23 populations separated by human infrastructure developments such as roads or power lines. These structures prevent the different populations from mixing with each other, or even making their annual migration for calving, despite being capable of undertaking among the world’s longest terrestrial migrations. As these are the last wild reindeer, Norway has a responsibility to limit any further negative influence on these populations.

Norway’s national parks are also important tourist attractions. An important part of the Norwegian cultural identity is the ability to become immersed in nature and is referred to as friluftsliv, translated literally as “free air life”. Traditionally this would mean seeking remote or isolated wilderness locations with the intention of developing a deeper connection with nature. The ability for anyone to practice friluftsliv in any wild place is protected by Norwegian law. The law is based on an ancient tradition of access known as allemannsretten (“every man’s right”) and is thus considered a basic right.

 

To reduce reliance on an oil based economy, the Norwegian government is considering nature based tourism as an alternative means of generating revenue. Maximizing this revenue would require attracting as many tourists as sustainably possible to the national parks. However, this goal is inconsistent with Norway’s responsibility to protect the reindeer. Since restricting human access to areas of the national parks would be extremely controversial given friluftsliv and allemannsretten, this project, as part of the wider Renewable Reindeer project, is seeking proactive solutions to reconcile these problems.

 

Where?

Norway

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Species

Wild reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)

 

Who is involved?

John Wilson (University of Stirling)

Nils Bunnefeld (University of Stirling)

Bram van Moorter (NINA)

Vegard Gundrsen (NINA)

Kirsty Park (University of Stirling)

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