No conflict between reindeer and dogs

There has been no conflict this year, thanks to goodwill from many reindeer-herders who herd their animals in the areas where Finnmarksløpet passes through.

There is no reason to hide that sometimes conflict occur when teams of dogs come close to reindeer that rest or feed. The reindeer are very sensitive to disturbance, at the same time as dogs being mushed might get frightened by running animals that, for instance, crosses the trail. So far in this year's race we have not heard of any conflicts, even though the spring-moving is happening right now.    

Postponed moving
A reindeer-herder who owns thousands of animals that were to be moved from an area south of Karasjok and north-east across the mountain area called Gaissene chose to postpone the move for 48 hours to avoid that the reindeer passed at the same time as the dogs.

Kept his flock still
Per Ivar Sara, another reindeer-herder who's flock was in the valley called Stabbursdalen, an area where the trail for Finnmarksløpet goes, chose to keep his flock still at both sides of the trail until all the sled-dog teams had passed. - It went very well. I had an extra herder outside and kept the reindeer a few hundred meters on both sides of the trail. When we can solve it like this, Finnmarksløpet causes no problems, Sara comments.

At the same time he stresses that it is important that the mushers are considerate and try to avoid stressing animals that they suddenly meet on their way. In the end it is all about goodwill from both parts.

HIGH SPEED: Big flocks of reindeer are on the move these days (Photo: Dagny Margrethe Øren - Finnmark Tourist Board)