Distribution and Status of Wild Reindeer in the Soviet Union

Abstract

In the Soviet Union there are about 900,000 wild reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) whose num- bers have increased substantially in recent decades. The greatest concentrations and largest herds of wild reindeer occur in the far north, where competition from domestic reindeer is least. These large northern herds are now managed intensively through systematic aerial counting and annual harvests administered by the government. Wild forest and mountain reindeer often suffer competition from domestic reindeer for available rangelands, and their habitat does not lend itself to accurate censusing and controlled har- vests.