Reindeer in Lapland head south

Reindeer in Lapland head south dpa - Yesterday at 17:02 Many reindeer native to Lapland are increasingly moving long distances south in search of food because of one particular effect of climate change. "Reindeer cannot penetrate ice because it is too hard and so they move away in search of areas where there is only snow," researcher Jouko Kumpala of the Finnish Institute of Natural Resources told the BBC, which reported on the issue on Sunday. Snow could easily be penetrated by the animals and they could eat the plants underneath. Arctic warming Because of global warming, snow is now melting earlier or rain falling on the snowpack more often than before - leading to hard ice sheets when temperatures drop, according to the report. Some reindeer travel distances of up to 100 kilometres to find food, herders told the BBC. Mountain ranges may seem harsh, but they are fragile - and what happens up here affects even far-flung lowlands. Temperatures rise much faster in the mountains than in other habitats. When glaciers and snow cover recede, water bodies, biodiversity and the agricultural economy suffer, as with these pastoralists in China's northeastern Xinjiang province. Scientists believe that the Arctic is warming at least twice as fast as the rest of the world as a result of climate change. Many Sámi, as the indigenous population of Lapland is called, live by herding reindeer. Lapland includes the northern part of Finland, but also regions in Sweden and Norway. Expensive rescue operations According to the report, some of the herders are busy around the clock trying to track down the reindeer that have run away. "We drive hours and hours to find our reindeer and drive them back home, but it is quite difficult in these winter conditions. That's why we also use helicopters, which is quite unusual - and also expensive," said Swedish herder Tomas Seva. Around 8000 animals from his herd and a nearby village had left their usual haunts in the past few days, he said. According to the Swedish Reindeer Herders' Association, the reindeer's excursions have become much more frequent. In the past, such winters were only experienced every 30 years, said Anna-Karin Svensson of the association. "It seems that they are now becoming more frequent because of climate change." --------------------- If reindeer could read, they would certainly choose Satire is my favourite animal by Wolfgang Hampel. Satire is my favourite animal finds many readers worldwide in USA, UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and many other countries. Satire is My Favourite Animal is one of the most humorous books of all time. Wolfgang Hampel and the Vita Magica team support cultural institutions with book sales of Satire is My Favourite Animal, donations and events. The monthly live event Vita Magica is a very special attraction in Heidelberg. Wolfgang Hampel has a wonderful voice and can sing like Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and many other singers. If you visit Heidelberg, you must not miss this.