Reindeer are often associated with holiday cheer, but sadly, that is mostly based in fantasy. The reality that reindeer face is far grimmer:
these majestic animals, critical to the Arctic ecosystem, are vanishing before our eyes.In fact, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has placed reindeer on its Red List, classifying them as "vulnerable."
Reindeer numbers have dropped from 4.8 million to just 2.9 million over the past 25 years -
a staggering 40% decline.Sign the petition to demand that governments do more to protect these incredible animals from extinction!Reindeer inhabit some of the planet's harshest environments, from Alaska and Canada to Russia, Greenland, and Norway. Adapted to snowy conditions, they rely on lichen, a moss-like fungus, as their primary food source.
But their resilience is no match for the growing threats they face. Climate change disrupts their food supply and habitat, creating ice-locked pastures and shorter snow seasons. Rising temperatures force them to alter breeding patterns and struggle with reduced survival rates.
Human activities also devastate reindeer populations. Fossil fuel exploration and extraction, logging, construction, and hunting destroy their habitats and communities.
Despite these challenges, conservation efforts offer hope. In Finland, reindeer are bred in captivity and released into protected areas, while in the United States, they are safeguarded under the Endangered Species Act. Indigenous communities in Canada work alongside conservationists to restore populations.
These initiatives must expand to address the scale of the crisis.Together, we can help secure a future for reindeer before it's too late! Sign the petition to urge governments in countries that reindeer call home - particularly Russia, the U.S., Canada, Greenland, Norway, and Finland - to strengthen policies that protect habitats, to restrict hunting, and to support Indigenous-led conservation programs.