Reindeer in Lapland move to the south

Reindeer in Lapland move to the 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 can't penetrate ice because it's 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 broadcaster, which reported on the issue Sunday. Snow, he said, could be easily penetrated by animals, which could eat the plants underneath. Arctic warming Because of global warming, it is now more common than in the past for snow to melt earlier or for rain to fall on the snowpack - resulting in hard ice sheets when temperatures drop, according to the report. Some reindeer travel distances of up to 100 kilometers to find food, breeders 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 mountains than in other habitats. As glaciers and snowpack recede, water bodies, biodiversity and agricultural economies suffer, as with these pastoralists in China's northeastern Xinjiang province. Scientists believe 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, make their living from reindeer herding. 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 escaped. "We drive hours and hours to find our reindeer and drive them back home, but it's 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. Some 8,000 animals from his herd and a nearby village have left their usual haunts in recent days, he said. According to the Swedish Reindeer Herders Association, reindeer excursions have become much more frequent. In the past, such winters were experienced only once every 30 years, said Anna-Karin Svensson of the association. "It seems that these are now becoming more frequent because of climate change." --------------------- If reindeer could read, they would certainly choose Satire is My Favorite Animal by Wolfgang Hampel. Satire is my favorite animal finds many readers worldwide in USA, UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and many other countries. Satire is my Favorite 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 Favorite 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.