‘Indigenous reindeer herders request emergency aid after drought, wildfires ravage Sweden’
Eilis Quinn of Eye on the Artic reports on August 29 2028 how the Swedish Saami Association is demanding a comprehensive aid package from Stockholm after a season of unprecedented drought and wildfire ravaged the country, including key reindeer grazing areas.
“ 'Inga says drought and fire have put their reindeer herds under unprecedented stress this summer, forcing the animals to retreat from their summer grazing areas into the mountains.
“The reindeer fled to the high peaks to stand on glaciers and snow fields to escape from the heat,” he said.
But in the mountains, the reindeer had no access to the summer vegetation they typically nourish themselves on to help them survive wintertime, a season where they have less easy access to plants and grasses.
“They haven’t been able to build their energy reserves for the upcoming winter,” Inga said. “It’s a real concern.”
Meanwhile, wildfires ravaged several traditional winter grazing areas, meaning the lichen reindeer typically eat in winter has been completely incinerated.' “
Read the full article here.
A reindeer herd in Sweden in 2016. Climate change is putting unprecedented stress on traditional Saami herding culture. And after this year’s drought and wildfires, some communities are worried their animals may starve. (Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP/Getty Images)(As reproduced in original article.)