Mortality and survival of semi-domesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus L.) calves in northern Finland

During the period 1999 to 2004 the reindeer calf survival and mortality were studied in two reindeer-herding cooperatives and in five herding-groups in northern Finland, where in total 1725 calves were fitted with mortality indicating radio-transmitters fixed on expandable neck collars. The calves were weighed and marked at the age of 2-5 days in calving corrals and also during earmarking in June/July, when the age of calves was 2-8 weeks. The rate, timing and causes of mortality of calves were investigated. In 1999-2001 in Ivalo reindeer-herding cooperative 4.6% of radiocollared calves and in 2002-04 in Käsivarsi reindeer cooperative 5.2% was found dead. The average mortality of the calves radio-collared during calving time in May, and monitored to the end of October, was 6.7% in Ivalo and 9.0% in Käsivarsi. From July on, the average mortality rates varied between 1.8-5.7% among reindeer herding-groups. On average 54 and 42% of all radio-collared calves found dead in Ivalo and Käsivarsi cooperatives were attributed to predation, and golden eagle was the most significant cause of death in both cooperatives killing 0-3.5% of radio-collared calves in different study areas and years. Golden eagle predation accounted for 33-43% of all radio-collared calves found dead, 55-59% of the cases with identified cause of death and 80% of all identified predation. Most of the calves killed by golden eagle were found during July and August mainly in the open areas, as in highlands, bogs and clear-cut forest areas. The mean body weight of the calves radio-collared in May (weights adjusted on June 1st) and found dead during the summer was significantly (P<0.01) lighter than the mean weight of survivors both in Ivalo and Käsivarsi. Furthermore, the midsummer body weights of the calves (weights adjusted on July 1st) killed by all predators and by golden eagles were significantly (P<0.001) lower than the mean weight of surviving calves in both cooperatives. However, the weights did not differ between depredated calves and those calves that succumbed due to other causes than predation. The results of this study emphasize the relative importance of golden eagle as a mortality factor for reindeer calves in the northern part of the Finnish reindeer husbandry area

Calf mortality of semi-domesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in the Finnish reindeer-herding area

During 1999-2008 calf mortality was studied in six reindeer-herding cooperatives in Northern Finland, where 3942 semi-domesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) calves were equipped with radio mortality collars. The calves were weighed and earmarked mostly at 2-5 days of age, or at 2-8 weeks of age. Altogether 460 dead radio-collared calves were found from calving in May until winter round-ups in October-January. In northern mountain herding cooperatives, the average mortality of calves varied between 7-12%. On average, 39-54% of calves found dead were attributed to predation. Golden eagles killed 0-3.5% of calves in different years and areas in Ivalo and Käsivarsi cooperatives. Golden eagles were responsible for 33-43% of the cases and 84-93% of all identified predation. Most calves killed by golden eagles were found in July-August and in open areas. Calves killed by golden eagles were significantly (P<0.01) lighter than those not predated. No predation occurred in the Poikajärvi cooperative, but the annual mortality of calves varied between 0-35% in cooperatives near the Russian border. In Oivanki cooperative brown bears killed on average 2% of the radio-collared calves. Most predation (87%) occurred at the end of May and in early June. In the Kallioluoma cooperative, predator-killed calves found comprised 53% and wolf-killed 45%. Predation was 70% of total mortality in the Halla cooperative, and predation by wolf, bear, lynx and wolverine comprised on average 38%, 20%, 9% and 2.3%, respectively. The sex and pelt color did not significantly affect survival of calves. Birth weight of calves killed by bears was significantly (P<0.01) lighter than those not killed, but those calves killed by lynxes were significantly (P<0.05) heavier than that survived. Bears killed calves mainly in May-July, wolves in July-October and lynx in August-December

Feed intake, gastrointestinal system and body composition in reindeer calves fed early harvested first cut timothy silage (Phleum pratense)

Early harvested first cut (EFC) timothy silage was fed to five reindeer calves (Rangifer tarandus tarandus L.) taken from their natural summer pasture and brought to Troms&oslash; for feeding trial. The calves were housed indoors in metabolism cages and fed EFC timothy silage ad lib. during the trial, which lasted from late November 1994 until the end of February 1995, when animals subsequently were slaughtered. Daily feed intake, gastrointestinal (GI) anatomy, body weight and body composition of the animals were examined. Timothy silage {Phleum prat&eacute;nse) was harvested 21 June, 1994 in Troms&oslash;, prewilted and stored as round bales containing 97% leaves. The EFC silage contained 42.1% dry matter (DM), and 18.1% crude protein, 20.7% cellulose, 16.9% hemicellulose and 28.0% water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) of DM. Mean feed intake (DM) 24 hours after the trial started (day 1) was 9-4 g/kg body mass (BM) (S.D.+ 3-9), while the mean daily DM intake during days 15-74 comprised 24.2 g/kg BM (S.D.+ 6.1). All animals except one gained body weight during the trial. The median (range) BM at start and at slaughter was 48.5 kg (34.5&not;58.0 kg) and 50.0 kg (42.0-53.5 kg), respectively. Median (range) carcass weight % of BM was 58.0% (51.2-58.7%) and muscle index value 0.0132 (0.0106-0.0176). The median reticulo-rumen (RR) content wet weight (WW) was 4601 g (range 2697-5000 g) comprising 9.3% of the BM, and 85.1% of the total gastrointestinal wet weight content. The median (range) gastrointestinal tract weight was 14.1% of BM (10.7-16.4%). Based on feed intake during the trial and body composition at slaughtet we conclude that first cut timothy silage is suitable as emergency feed to reindeer, as long as it is harvested in early growth stage with high proportion of leaves

Septicaemic listeriosis in reindeer calves – a case report

Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from 4 reindeer calves as a nearly pure growth from several internal organs, pointing to a septicaemic form of listeriosis. The calves were born in a calving corral. Silage feeding was considered the most probable source of the infection.Abstract in Finnish / Tiivistelm&auml;:Listeria monocytogenes -bakteerin aiheuttama verenmyrkytys poronvasoilla &ndash; tapausselostus Toukokuussa 2005 Suomen poronhoitoalueen kaakkoisosassa sijaitsevassa vasotustarhassa kuoli nelj&auml; poronvasaa pian syntym&auml;n j&auml;lkeen 5-11 p&auml;iv&auml;n ik&auml;isin&auml;. Kaikkien vasojen kuolinsyyksi todettiin Listeria monocytogenes -bakteerin aiheuttama verenmyrkytys. Tartunnan todenn&auml;k&ouml;isin l&auml;hde oli vaatimien lis&auml;ruokinnassa k&auml;ytetty s&auml;il&ouml;rehu. Kyseess&auml; on ensimm&auml;inen poronvasoilla todettu Listeria monocytogenes -bakteerin aiheuttama verenmyrkytys Suomessa. Abstract in Norwegian / Sammendrag: Tilfelle av sjukdomsfremkallende Listeriabakterie i reinkalver Listeria monocytogenes ble isolert fra 4 reinkalver som en nesten ren vekst fra flere indre organer, noe som antyder en sykdomsfremkallende form av listeriose. Kalvene nedkom i en kalveinnhegning, og man antok at d&aring;rlig silof&ocirc;r var smittekilden

Behaviour of reindeer as an indicator of an adaptation to feeding

Abstract: We assessed behaviour of reindeer affected by nutritional deprivation and how they adapted to various feeding strategies. The activity pattern of 61 penned eight month old female reindeer calves was observed during 20 of a total of 42 experimental days in winter 1997. The dominant activities were lying, ruminating, intake of feed and water, and standing. Few recordings of agonistic behaviour or snow intake occured. Restricted feed intake, half the ad lib. ration of a lichen-based diet, affected the eating behaviour of the reindeer, and more animals were standing and fewer lying compared to reindeer fed ad lib. Lack of energy in the diet correlated with animals lying curled up (lying with the muzzle close to the hind legs). This behaviour could be a useful complement to other measurements and registrations when studying adaptations to various feeding regimens.Abstract in Swedish/Sammanfattning:Syftet med studien var att unders&ouml;ka om, och i s&aring; fall hur renars beteende p&aring;verkades av otillr&auml;ckligt n&auml;ringsintag och vid anpassning till olika utfodringsstrategier. Aktivitetsm&ouml;nstret hos 61 inh&auml;gnade &aring;tta m&aring;nader gamla honrenkalvar studerades under 20 av totalt 42 f&ouml;rs&ouml;ksdagar. De vanligaste beteendekategorierna genom hela f&ouml;rs&ouml;ket var ligga, idissla, intag av foder och vatten samt st&aring; passivt. Endast ett f&aring;tal observationer av aggressivt beteende och sn&ouml;&auml;tande registrerades. En begr&auml;nsad giva dvs. halva m&auml;ngden av fodergivan vid fri tillg&aring;ng av en lavbaserad diet p&aring;verkade djuren &auml;tbeteende. Dessutom observerades fler djur st&aring; passivt medan f&auml;rre l&aring;g j&auml;mf&ouml;rt med kontrollgruppen. Under f&ouml;rsta fasen av utfodring efter restriktionsperioden l&aring;g fler djur l&aring;g ihoprullade (med mulen t&auml;tt intill bakbenet) j&auml;mf&ouml;rt med kontrollgruppen, vilket tolkades som ett tecken p&aring; energibrist. Beteendestudierna visade sig vara ett v&auml;rdefullt komplement till &ouml;vriga m&auml;tningar och provtagningar vid studier av renars anpassning till olika utfodringsregimer

Large predators and their impact on reindeer husbandry

Several large predators (wolf, lynx, wolverine, brown bear and eagle) are present within the Fennoscandian reindeer herding area, where reindeer are often their main prey. After being more or less eradicated during the 1800s and early 1900s, predators were gradually protected leading to the recovery of all species. Growing populations of predators evidently lead to increased damage to reindeer and reindeer husbandry. In Fennoscandia, the annual loss of reindeer due to predation is probably around 50,000–100,000 animals. Herders get economic compensation for losses. In Finland and Norway, this is based on the number of predator-killed reindeer that are found, while in Sweden the compensation is based on the number of predators (wolf, lynx or wolverine) or area of the herding district (bear and golden eagle). According to national policy, reindeer husbandry should be taken into account in the management of large predators, but often population goals for the predator override the interests of reindeer husbandry. Although reindeer herders acknowledge that predators have a place in the ecosystem, there is frustration about reimbursement not compensating for actual losses, and that herders’ voices are not heard, and their knowledge not recognized, when it comes to predator management

Large predators and their impact on reindeer husbandry

Several large predators (wolf, lynx, wolverine, brown bear and eagle) are present within the Fennoscandian reindeer herding area, where reindeer are often their main prey. After being more or less eradicated during the 1800s and early 1900s, predators were gradually protected leading to the recovery of all species. Growing populations of predators evidently lead to increased damage to reindeer and reindeer husbandry. In Fennoscandia, the annual loss of reindeer due to predation is probably around 50,000–100,000 animals. Herders get economic compensation for losses. In Finland and Norway, this is based on the number of predator-killed reindeer that are found, while in Sweden the compensation is based on the number of predators (wolf, lynx or wolverine) or area of the herding district (bear and golden eagle). According to national policy, reindeer husbandry should be taken into account in the management of large predators, but often population goals for the predator override the interests of reindeer husbandry. Although reindeer herders acknowledge that predators have a place in the ecosystem, there is frustration about reimbursement not compensating for actual losses, and that herders’ voices are not heard, and their knowledge not recognized, when it comes to predator management