Predation Exacts a Heavy Toll on Reindeer in Troms County, Norway
Outside reindeer husbandry, predation is not generally considered to be a serious problem. Figures from the Troms reindeer husbandry region demonstrate that is represents a considerable challenge to reindeer husbandry and one that has real economic costs associated with it. Reindeer herders claims amounted to 10 Million NOK (1.2 Million EURO) but the County awarded only 4.5 Million NOK. Claims for predation compensation by reindeer herders totalled 3294 reindeer, 2411 of which were calves according to figures for 2006/7 a small increase from the figures for 2005/6.
Compensation was awarded for 1624 reindeer, 1249 of which were calves, meaning that less than half of all claims were compensated, according to a report in Fremover today.