Chinese Reindeer Numbers Are Falling Fast

All over the world, reindeer populations are in trouble. In particular in China, reindeer numbers are suffering largely as a result of inbreeding according to the results of the latest research.  The research conducted by Beijing’s Renmin University focused on the Chinese reindeer population and found that since the 1970’s there has been a decline of 28 per cent. At present you can find populations of reindeer living in:

• China
• Mongolia
• Russia
• Alaska,
• Canada
• Finland
• Norway
• Sweden

Reindeer came to China 2000 years ago

This species migrated to China about 2000 years ago from Siberia; the researchers say they came with the Ewenki tribe who are reindeer herders. The researchers calculated a population estimate of 770 reindeer in China by interviewing Ewenki herders and examining old records. The Ewenki tribe usually tie ribbons of different colours around the necks of their reindeer in order to help identify each animal.

Inbreeding is causing a decline in population

The researchers cited a number of different reasons for the decline in reindeer populations; however the main cause they identified was inbreeding. The Chinese reindeer is split up into very small groups that are shrinking, which means they have few options for mating. The populations will eventually collapse without more genetic variation. Another major problem is poaching because reindeer antlers can end up fetching a high price on the black market. All of this does not bode well for the species in China.

No one left to herd reindeer

Additionally an increasing number of the species caretakers are choosing different careers. Ewenki herders tend to be young men who usually find it hard to adjust to the isolation of the forest covered mountains that reindeer inhabit. The number of herders has fallen sharply and in 2012 it was estimated there only 33 reindeer herders left in the country. The absence of a herder means that if a reindeer finds itself lost from the group, it will end up staying that way. Those that find themselves caught in a poaching trap will not be rescued either.

Chinese government acting to increase reindeer numbers

One solution is perhaps moving the herds closer to civilisation which would make more of the Ewenki willing to act as herders. The problem with this however is when reindeer populations are moved closer to the cities, they are often slaughtered for tourists, hit by cars or kept as pets. The Chinese government is starting to do something about the decline in numbers and in 2012 they introduced 29 new reindeer who are participating in an artificial insemination program designed to reverse the loss of genetic variation. Hopefully with a little planning and conservation, reindeer numbers will start to recover in the country.