Reindeer diseases associated with supplementary feeding in Norway and Sweden - A questionnaire-based survey

Abstract

Climatic and anthropogenic factors are increasingly affecting reindeer husbandry in Norway and Sweden. The potential health risks associated with a warming climate, and the necessity to avoid starvation by providing supplementary feed to semi-domesticated reindeer, need to be explored and identified. A questionnaire-based survey among reindeer herders was conducted, containing questions about the current feeding practice and reindeer diseases, such as infectious keratoconjunctivitis, contagious ecthyma and oral necrobacillosis. The survey was distributed to all reindeer districts (n=114; Norway) and Sámi villages (samebyer; n=51; Sweden) over the summer of 2021. Even though these issues have been studied in the past, there is a need for updated data on the present situation within reindeer husbandry. The main reason for this is the increase of feeding in the reindeer husbandry over the past few years. A majority of the respondents (86.8%) in this study provided supplementary feed to their reindeer herds in the last 5 years, and 67.1 of the respondents had observed infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IKC) in their herds in the last 10 years. Warbles and botfly larvae were also common, as 76.3% of the respondents treat their herds regularly for these parasites. The number of respondents were too limited for statistical calculations, but the findings do present indicators of the current situation. The findings of this survey can be used to create in depth interviews with reindeer herders in Scandinavia, or focused studies in regions facing challenges with disease or loss of grazing pastures.