CONTEMPORARY HISTORY OF THE TAIMYR POPULATION OF WILD REINDEER: PATTERNS, MANAGEMENT, THREATS AND CONSERVATION OPTIONS

Abstract

Data on the modern history of the wild reindeer Taimyr population (Rangifer tarandus tarandus L.) are presented. The current stage was conventionally termed the “stage of population destruction”. Data from aerial surveys have recorded a sharp decline in the population size from 1 million reindeer in 2000 to 400,000–420,000 in 2017. The natural and anthropogenic factors influencing the population size were analyzed. The main factors responsible for the catastrophic decline in numbers are large-scale poaching and predation by wolves coupled with low productivity of the population. The results of simulations confirmed the validity of biologists’ concerns about the fate of the Taimyr population and the risk of its extirpation in the next 7–10 years. A set of measures to regain control over the population and preserve it, including reconstruction of the monitoring system based on modern technical means and modification of the hunting control system, with a transfer of some functions to the indigenous population represented by the Association of Indigenous Peoples of Taimyr, is presented.

Keywords

• russian arctic zone, wild reindeer
• abundance patterns
• ecology
• sustainable environmental management
• modeling
• monitoring
• satellite telemetry
• heavy metals