While overall widespread and numerous, some of the reindeer's subspecies are rare and at least one has already vanished. This is such a shame.
More animals are joining Earth's extinct list each month. I'm so glad someone is taking action.
Finland's Reindeer Herders' Association has started testing two reflective sprays on the animals' antlers so they are more visible to motorists at night. According to Anne Ollila, the head of the department, there are between 3,000 and 5,000 accidents involving reindeer every year.
The trial period started last week, when the association sprayed the antlers of 20 reindeer close to the capital of the Lapland region. Two different types of reflective liquid were used on the animal: a more permanent one for the antlers and one that washes away for the fur. If the test shows positive results, the association plans to spray more animals next autumn.
Hunting of wild reindeer and herding of semi-domesticated reindeer (for meat, hides, antlers, milk and transportation) are important to several Arctic and Subarctic peoples.
Reindeer, or caribou, make a fitting choice for their legendary role as they can outperform all other land animals in their energy efficiency. The animals are often seen on their mammoth annual migration to the Arctic during which the North American herds might travel for more than 5,000km—an extraordinary feat that takes them further than any other land mammal. A warm, insulating coat and large hooves are vital to their survival strategy against the extreme cold and snow of the Arctic. Reindeer are the only deer where both males and females sport antlers, complex structures that can reach epic proportions in males.
So—you'd better watch out! Santa's glowing reindeer will be about next Christmas.