How’s it going, reindeer?

The Savu newspaper met Markku Rauhala, a reindeer herder from Muonio, at the 2023 Matka Nordic Travel Fair. Markku told the exhibition visitors about the reindeer’s year. Most questions asked about the reindeer’s anatomy and GPS trackers, one of which was tied around the neck of a stuffed reindeer on display.

“GPS trackers are the reindeer herders’ contribution to the carbon footprint. No more driving across the fells on snowmobiles and dune buggies looking for reindeer. GPS trackers have cut motor vehicle usage by 50-70%. Reindeer roam freely in the National Parks, so tracker use also saves the environment.”

Markku thinks that National Parks and Natura areas benefit reindeer herding.

“Before we thought that Natura 2000 threatened our rights as local people. Even then I said that Natura is more like an opportunity. Unspoiled areas are extremely important for reindeer