Wolves Take Growing Toll on Finland’s Reindeer

In northern Finland, the number of reindeer killed by predators – some of them crossing from Russia – is rising. Local herders believe the war in Ukraine is partly to blame, arguing that Russia has fewer hunters and has stopped paying bounties for killing wolves.

Over the past two years, the wolf population along the Finnish-Russian border has nearly doubled. Reindeer herders estimate that as many as 35,000 reindeer have fallen prey to wolves. Last year, 2,100 were confirmed killed, about 70% more than in 2024, with losses estimated at €7m ($8.1m).

DNA analyses by the Finnish Natural Resources Institute confirmed that some wolves had crossed from Russia, although they did not establish how many. A direct link between the war and the increase has therefore not been conclusively proven.

Finland now allows 100 wolves to be culled each year. Reindeer herders are calling for higher quotas, while conservationists warn that the country’s wolf population remains at risk.

The losses hit smaller herders particularly hard, including the indigenous Sami. Although the government compensates them, it can take about 18 months to receive the full amount.

(nzz, bak)