Herders testing glow-in-dark spray on reindeer to prevent crashes
FINLAND — In an effort to prevent road accidents involving reindeer, Finnish herders are experimenting with a glow-in-the-dark spray paint.
According to Finnish broadcaster YLE, the spray is being placed on the reindeers’ fur and antlers to make them more visible in the vast Arctic region of Lapland.
The experiment has been tried on 20 different reindeer (caribou in North America). If it proves to be durable and harmless, more animals will be pained next fall.
Anne Ollila, executive director of the Reindeer Herders’ Association, told AFP that each year between 3,000 and 5,000 reindeer are stuck by vehicles.