Published 23.01.2023

NMF asks the Ministry of Climate and Environment to introduce a ban on all kiting and ski sailing in Norway's 23 wild reindeer areas during the winter months. The wild reindeer population is threatened due to increased human activity in areas that are crucial for the species' survival. For the wild reindeer, it is critical to have access to large, continuous areas with peace and undisturbed grazing to maintain their natural migration patterns. Human activities such as ski sailing and kiting disturb this vital habitat.

The wild reindeer has developed instinctive defense strategies against predators over thousands of years, but they also perceive humans as potential threats. Ski sailing and kiting, which involve high speeds and large air sails resembling birds of prey, disturb the animals and trigger flight responses that require a lot of energy—something that can be fatal during the winter months. The encounter between skiers and wild reindeer often becomes a stress factor for the animals, forcing them to interrupt grazing and flee from areas where they would normally rest and conserve energy.

The wild reindeer need to use large, open areas during the winter to secure enough grazing, especially since they have to dig through the snow to find food. Human activities like ski sailing, which takes place outside of marked trails, create additional challenges for the animals. The skier may move quickly and often without being aware of nearby wild reindeer, but the animals notice the activity and trigger a flight response. This type of activity causes significant disturbances, which can negatively impact the survival of the weakened winter herds in the long run. It also affects birth rates and calf weights in the following year.

The Wild reinsdeers habitat is shrinking

The wild reindeer need large, continuous areas to maintain their long seasonal migrations between grazing areas. Due to human-made changes in the landscape, such as the construction of roads, power lines, and vacation homes, the wild reindeer's habitats are becoming increasingly fragmented. For the animals, these obstacles create significant barriers that reduce their ability to move freely between summer and winter grazing areas. Even small paths can become a barrier if they are used by many people daily, and in several large mountain areas, such as Rondane and Hardangervidda, we are now seeing a significant increase in the number of people traveling on marked trails.

In many areas, the use of marked trails is so high that the wild reindeer completely avoid them and cross these routes less frequently. This contributes to reducing access to important grazing areas, which in turn affects their condition and reproductive ability. The wild reindeer itself does not face challenges from buildings or small roads, but the intensity of human activity near these areas prevents the animals from using spaces they would otherwise have access to.

Winter is the most challenging period for the wild reindeer, and the need for peace is especially crucial during these months. Food availability is often limited, and the animals must dig for grazing under the snow. The wild reindeer is highly sensitive to disturbances, and even small movements can trigger a reaction that causes them to leave their grazing area and start the search for food again. When animals constantly have to move, energy consumption increases, and stress on the body grows—depleting the limited winter reserves. Such disturbances can have significant consequences, which is why it is essential for wild reindeer to have access to undisturbed winter grazing areas.

Ski sailors and kiters are often drawn to large, open areas in the mountains, but these are frequently the same areas the wild reindeer use for winter grazing. Human presence can trigger panic in the animals, causing them to flee from their familiar areas—this not only stresses them but can also lead to dangerous situations, such as cliffs or avalanche-prone zones.

Hardangervidda as a prioritized area for protection.

Hardangervidda is one of the most vulnerable areas, and we see an urgent need for measures here. The area south of National Road 7 is important for the wild reindeer’s winter grazing, and it should therefore be given extra protection. At the same time, northern areas can be used for recreational activities such as kiting, as it is undesirable for wild reindeer to stay there due to CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease). This is an example of how we can use regulation to protect the needs of the wild reindeer while allowing activity in less vulnerable areas.

The Norwegian Society for Nature Conservation believes it is time for human use of nature to be managed in a way that prioritizes the needs of wildlife. The right of access to nature is an important tradition in Norway, but we must also respect a form of "duty to all" – an obligation to protect nature and its species. We therefore urge the authorities to consider restrictions and regulations that both allow people access to nature and ensure that important natural areas remain undisturbed for the benefit of wildlife.

With an increasing number of people using nature and new recreational activities such as kiting and ski sailing, it is necessary to take action to ensure that the wild reindeer can live undisturbed in their essential areas. This is about responsible management for the future, ensuring that Norway's wild reindeer population can survive and remain a part of Norwegian nature for generations to come.

• NMFs brev til Klima- og Miljøderparementet 23.01.2023 (PDF)