One plan approach to increasing resilience and long-term viability of the endemic wild forest reindeer in a changing environment

forthcoming

The proposed project aims to improve the long-term viability of the wild forest reindeer (Rangifer tarandus fennicus), the only wild Rangifer subspecies in the EU, listed as ‘near threatened’ in Finland. The project supports the connection between subpopulations and enhances genetic diversity, helping WFR adapt to human-altered landscapes and climate change. Building on the WildForestReindeerLIFE (2016–2023), it applies the One Plan Approach, integrating the management of wild and zoo populations to ensure species resilience. The project consists of nine work packages. Habitat-related actions will improve understanding of WFR habitat needs, and increase knowledge among land-use professionals. The project will support two subpopulations formerly established in Lauhanvuori and Seitseminen National Parks. It will also facilitate the unification of the Suomenselkä and Kainuu subpopulations by carrying out a reintroduction between them. The project will develop health monitoring to secure the reintroduced subpopulations. Genetic diversity of WFR will be preserved through biobanking and development and implement of assisted reproductive technologies. Hybridisation between WFR and semi-domestic reindeer will be prevented through collaboration with reindeer herders, enhanced monitoring, and DNA-based identification tools. The project will facilitate the future return of WFR to its former range in North Karelia by investigating the historical and presence occurrence of WFR in the region, restoring 1,000 hectares of summer habitat and conducting a systematic decision-making process. The success of actions will be followed by tracking WFR with GPS devises and game cameras. To enable the later use of the results, the project will build and maintain international collaboration network and produce best practice guides and protocols. The project, coordinated by Parks & Wildlife Finland, has a budget of 9,55 million euros, with 60% requested from the LIFE programme.