Reindeer farms in Finland. In the country of reindeer - Lapland in summer. Reindeer safari in Lapland

Husband. generic name of animals; among us, Cervus tarandus, the reindeer, Lapland or sled deer, is better known; in Altai and the Caucasus there is a union of elaphus, red deer (German) or true, eastern. Sib. red deer, zap., sib. maral; found in places... ... Dahl's Explanatory Dictionary

deer Encyclopedia of Mythology

DEER- golden horns. Jarg. they say Neglected About a very stupid person. Maksimov, 287. Deer with spreading antlers. Jarg. corner. Iron. or Neglect A naive, inexperienced person who does not belong to the criminal world. R 87, 245; UMC. The deer wet its tail. Gorky ABOUT… … Large dictionary of Russian sayings

deer- occupied an important place in the mythology and beliefs of the Celts. Thus, the deer was revered as a symbol of fertility and vitality, dignity, speed and aggressiveness. It was also associated with other qualities. Deer antlers were considered a symbolic representation... ... Celtic mythology. Encyclopedia

DEER- DEER, deer, husband. The name of various breeds of ruminant artiodactyl animal with branched horns. Noble deer. Reindeer. Riding deer. Ushakov's explanatory dictionary. D.N. Ushakov. 1935 1940 … Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary

deer- deer, roe deer, elen, stag, roe deer, fallow deer, wapiti, murrelet, cod, elk, musk deer Dictionary of Russian synonyms. deer noun, number of synonyms: 39 axis (2) ... Synonym dictionary

DEER- DEER, me, husband. A large artiodactyl animal with branched horns. Home o. Wild o. Noble Fr. Stag beetle (special) large beetle of the family. staghorns with horn-like elongated jaws. | adj. deer, ya, ye and deer, aya, oe. Deer horns.… … Ozhegov's Explanatory Dictionary

deer- DEER, me, m. 1. A joke that consists of a person walking with an insolent look past a doorman who won’t let him in (usually in a hotel or restaurant) with a gesture imitating antlers, accompanied by the words “beware, deer!” 2. Girl. I am today… … Dictionary of Russian argot

deer- branch-horned (Serafimovich); golden-horned (Meln. Pechersky) Epithets of literary Russian speech. M: Supplier of His Majesty's court, the Quick Printing Association A. A. Levenson. A. L. Zelenetsky. 1913. deer Noble, fleet-footed, fast, graceful... Dictionary of epithets

deer- DEER, stag DEER, cow, Lanka DEER, calf... Dictionary-thesaurus of synonyms of Russian speech

deer- NDP. chorus Adult uncastrated deer, male. [GOST 16020 70] Inadmissible, not recommended chorus Topics livestock for slaughter General terms reindeer EN reindeer DE Renbock FR renne ... Technical Translator's Guide

Books

• Deer August, Evgen Gutsalo. Evgen Gutsalo began writing stories and stories not so long ago, but they have already become widely known. His books were published in Ukrainian publishing houses: “People Among People”, “Apples from the Autumn Orchard”,…

Rovaniemi, the home of Santa Claus, a city located right on the Arctic Circle, is deservedly considered one of the best winter sports centers in Finland. The city of Rovaniemi with a population of 35,000 inhabitants is the capital of Lapland. Anyone who wants to get to know the culture and way of life of this northern region should definitely come here.

Thanks to the presence of snow cannons that guarantee snow cover on the slopes and pistes, the ski season here begins in October. There is also a point that is photographed probably more often than all other attractions in Finland - the Arctic Circle sign located at the northern entrance to the city. indicating the exact geographical latitude of this imaginary line.

In addition to his main duty of fulfilling his deepest desires, Santa Claus has a lot of worries. He is a very busy grandfather. Judge for yourself: in a year he reads more than six million letters from 184 countries (even from distant New Guinea and Madagascar!). And then they’re bombarded with e-mail messages, there’s no time to rest. It’s good that the faithful gnome assistants in red caps and striped socks sort out the bags of letters. Sometimes Santa can be seen rushing around the city on a reindeer - there is not enough time, time flies, before you have time to look back, the new year turns into an old one, the years are compressed into centuries, and now the turn of a whole millennium has already approached.

Deer are everywhere here. This does not mean that they are ownerless, although they can wander around without any supervision. They belong to the indigenous inhabitants of Lapland - the Sami, of whom about five thousand live here. By the way, not only Santa Claus can ride on reindeer, but also anyone who wants to test this unusual vehicle. To do this, you just need to take special short-term courses in “reindeer driving”, after which you will be awarded a “reindeer license”. And then, harness up, let's go!

It’s impossible to say exactly where the Reindeer will take you, but you probably won’t be able to miss one of the main attractions of Finland, the Arctic Circle sign. Having taken a photo next to him, you will feel like a real polar explorer and understand that the time has come to boldly go to the “places of Santa Claus”.

The best Finnish resorts are located in Lapland. These are Levi, Saariselkä and Ylläs. Lovers of impeccable service will not be able to find fault with anything. There are upscale hotels and cozy cottages here, where you can find everything your heart desires: swimming pools, jacuzzi, saunas, gyms, billiards. You will enjoy a night safari on motorized sleighs, reindeer and dog sleds, as well as entertainment in a tropical water park with all the ensuing pleasures.

Be sure to take the time to go dog sledding. Finnish huskies, or huskies, captivate everyone with their kindness. And they also have eyes as blue as the sky. While the owner ties them into a harness, the huskies whine and bark with impatience - they so want to hit the road as soon as possible! You can even try to drive a sled, although it is not as easy as it seems at first glance.

It may also happen that you get bored with the comfortable environment at the hotel. Then we advise you to try for yourself the well-known saying: “Heaven is in the hut with the darling.” Everyone can do it in a hut, but what about an ice hut, inside of which it is minus 3 - 8 degrees? But just imagine that through the transparent ice ceiling you will see the flickering of the northern lights. According to Japanese belief, this brings happiness when giving birth and raising children. Yes, you can endure all this (especially since in fact warm sleeping bags will protect you from any cold). You can live in a house made of ice, called an igloo, in the town of Saariselkä. There, by the way, there is a whole village: twenty igloo houses, an ice church where newlyweds are married. an ice sculpture gallery and even an ice bar.

In the kingdom of snow, it is impossible to deny yourself the pleasure of skiing, snowboarding, skating and sledding. Polar windsurfing will give you an extraordinary experience: you get on your skis, pick up a small parachute, and now catch the wind and go! Inveterate cross-country skiers who prefer cross-country skiing should head to Kuopio - this city is surrounded by over 400 km of ski slopes. Professionals can recommend the ski stadium on the Puyo hill, where the world's only ski jumping school operates. The high-class ski resorts of Takho and Himos await skiers and snowboarders, and you can rent extreme snow equipment. If you want to teach your child to ski, then you should go to Jyvaskylä, where even three-year-olds are trained.

And your child will forever remember Lumilinna Castle, located in Kemi. In this shining ice palace, guests are greeted by the "spirits of Lumilinna" Terttu and Arttu - a pair of funny creatures that appear here and there. With them you can ride a slide and see the sights of the castle. For the night, we advise you to stay in an icy two-story hotel at the castle, where the beds are made of wood and snow. Do you think you will freeze in a lambskin sleeping bag, lying on a thick mattress stuffed with straw? In such a bed, by candlelight, no frost is scary. But you will feel just like in childhood..

So, off to Lapland! There, where every year the Christmas tale begins and miracles happen. There, where it is frosty and snowy, where there is a polar night and northern lights. Just try to say at home: “That’s enough, I’m tired, we’re leaving to see Santa Claus!”, and you will hear a cry of delight escaping from your beloved child, who is already damn tired of studying and desperately wants adventures in the land of the Snow Queen and the real Santa Claus , where, in the words of the Reindeer from Andersen’s fairy tale, “it’s a miracle.”

Lapland is an ideal starting point for a variety of safaris: from here, 150 snowmobiles can simultaneously take off on a journey through unknown spaces. Rovaniemi is also a city of reindeer, from where every tourist can take away not only the unforgettable experience of riding a reindeer sled, but also the real “rights” to drive this local vehicle.

How much does the entertainment cost: a reindeer and dog safari costs about $100 (500 Finnish marks). A one-day icebreaker cruise on the Gulf of Bothnia and a night in an ice hotel cost the same. Don't forget to take a photo with Santa Claus (80 Finnish marks) and get his diploma for visiting the Arctic Circle.

What else unusual can await a traveler in the land of the polar lights? Well, for example, have you ever tried, after emerging from the warm waters of the pool, to immediately get on your skis and rush down the hill?

This kind of entertainment is offered by the Serena water park in Helsinki. Is it difficult to dive into the waters of Bothnia, where an icebreaker will take you from the city of Oulu, and swim among the ice? If yes, at least go fishing. True, for this you need to purchase a license, which costs about $20. You can fish on the lake shore in eastern Finland, in rapids rivers, and in the sea - on the Åland Islands off the Baltic coast.

Sierijärvi farm and looked at farm life from a tourist’s point of view. However, tourism is only part of their activity. Reindeer husbandry has never been a particularly easy job and it is not easy now. Tourism is a missing source of income for many reindeer herders, but the center of everything is traditional reindeer herding. We will also attend traditional corral work — a reindeer count, which is carried out jointly by different reindeer herders in the area. There are different farms, there are “real” ones, that is, where families of reindeer herders live, and there are “tourist” ones, where the infrastructure has simply been created for receiving guests. We will visit a real farm!

And here are the owners of the farm - Ari Maununiemi (left) and his friend Sampo. The Manuniemi family has lived here for hundreds of years. Behind, by the way, you can see the old house of Ari’s grandfather, but no one lives in it now.
Ari has no brothers or sisters, so his friend Sampo helps him in his work. In the photo with reindeer herders are Lapandan shepherd dogs.

Ari has been a reindeer herder since birth. He was born on this farm, but lived in town for some time. Previously, his father was involved in the farm, however, due to health reasons, he had to significantly reduce his workload. A year ago, he handed over management of the farm to his son Ari and now only helps in a small way with deeds or advice. Ari and Sampo are still young guys, they are 27 years old. They haven’t had time to have children yet, but both are married. They say that finding a wife who “understands” this lifestyle (working 24 hours a day, seven days a week) is not so easy :)

Sampo is an agricultural engineer by training, so for him this is a job in his specialty. He has been working on the farm for 6 years and lives nearby, a few kilometers away. It is important for a reindeer herder to always be on the alert and, if something happens, to quickly come to the rescue.

Maununiemi family - Finns, not Sami, that is, unlike the northern Sami reindeer herders, they never led a nomadic lifestyle. Family lives on this place for a couple of hundred years now. Here is their fairly modern home.

The oldest buildings on the farm were destroyed during the war and Ari's grandfather had to rebuild everything from scratch. The very first sauna was built, in 1947, which is still in use. They lived in it while they were building the residential building, which is visible in the photo earlier.

The farm is named after the lake of the same name, Sirijärvi. The farm is located only 15 km from Rovaniemi, but the locals lead a fairly authentic lifestyle. Fishing is very popular - this is both relaxation, and sports, and the opportunity to catch something for lunch or dinner. The guys go picking mushrooms and berries and hunting game.

Next to the house there is a special smokehouse where you can make smoked fish or meat.

The loot can be stored in a special storage facility.

But the view the family has every morning is work. A typical morning for reindeer herders begins early, at 7.00. It is necessary to feed the deer (although not all of them are on the farm at the same time), repair, clean, build, prepare firewood, etc. In winter, when the tourist season is, that is, from December to the end of March, in addition to the usual hassle, other concerns are added in organizing and selling excursions. I wake up at about 6 am and work often ends late in the evening or around midnight. There is no such thing as a weekend during the season.

In the center of the farm there is a modern Lapland tent.

Guests are received here and treated to hot drinks. You can arrange a trip to the farm yourself, without intermediaries. To do this, you just need to contact Ari directly and book an excursion with him, or with, which sells excursions at no extra charge. A standard visit includes an introduction to the farm and reindeer, a Lapland greeting ceremony, juice and sledding (in winter). You will be picked up from the center of Rovaniemi and driven to and from the farm. The standard ski circle is 450 meters, but you can negotiate a longer ride (up to 5 kilometers) and lunch at the farm. Local tour operators also offer trips to farms. It will likely be a little more expensive. However, these trips are often done on snowmobiles, meaning they offer more adventure. There are several reindeer farms in Rovaniemi and it is not a fact that a specific tour operator works with the farm and will take you here.

Riding is only available during the season. Here is a path next to the lake, along which you can ride a reindeer sled in winter.

Skiing equipment is stored in an old barn.

Antlers, which deer shed once a year.

And here is the real owner of the farm Ranne is a loyal and experienced shepherd dog who helps herd reindeer. She is trained and performs various tricks.

Recently the guys built a new building where there will be a restaurant for receiving guests.

Everything was done with our own hands, or at most with the help of neighboring reindeer herders or friends.

There is always something to patch up, do, adjust. Ari is also responsible for marketing the farm, working with tour operators and selling excursions to the farm. Everyone in the family is involved in preparing food for tourists, although several more workers are hired during the season. Special mention should be made of the training of “tourist” reindeer that pull the sleigh. According to Ari, only 1 or 2 deer out of ten become “mounted”, the rest simply do not understand what is wanted from them. Training lasts for years, but with a break during the summer holidays, when the riding reindeer rest. Reindeer need to get used to people, then to sleighs, and then to pull the sleigh itself over long distances. Even more difficult is training deer for reindeer racing, although this is not done on this farm.

The Maununiemi family has about 120 reindeer. This is quite small compared to reindeer herders in northern Lapland, but the state allows more reindeer to be kept there than in southern Lapland. The largest owners have livestock in the thousands. Sampo’s friend owns another 5 reindeer; he was given a “starter package” for a novice reindeer herder :)

By the way, 2/3 of the world's reindeer population is in Russia. It is a pity, however, that this fishery is gradually losing its importance and the number of deer in Russia only in the 1990s decreased by more than half from 2.5 million to 1.2 million. In Lapland, the maximum allowed number of livestock is 230,000. This is the part that is allowed to spend the winter after slaughter. Nature will no longer be able to bear it, or the deer will have to be fed like cows all year round.

However, now, in October, there are no more than ten deer on the farm. The rest graze freely in the forest and feed on grass and other vegetation. The deer's diet includes more than 200 species of plants, including mushrooms. In Lapland, herders do not constantly control the reindeer and they are left to their own devices. Most of the year they find their own food, but in winter, when the snow is too deep and it is difficult to dig out moss, reindeer herders feed the reindeer at special forest feeders. Deer can travel 60-100 km from the farm. They move to different pastures depending on the time of year.

U At the entrance to the farm, a few kilometers away, you can see deer freely grazing. Most of them are from the farm Sierijärvi. They lay down in a field not far from the road to bask in the last rays of the October sun. Several times a year, deer are herded into small heaps, having previously found them in the forest. This is done for corral work — counting deer, applying your “stamp” for young deer and for slaughter. It is impossible to herd all the deer in one place at one time, so this is done in stages and in different places.

The Maununiemi family has taught their reindeer to come “home” for the winter. Half of the deer come on their own, either out of habit or by smelling food. Of course, some deer winter autonomously in the forest (if only because they are well protected from corral work), but the advantages of wintering on a farm are obvious. Despite the fact that deer can extract moss from under the snow up to a meter deep, winter is still no picnic for them, and on the farm there is always something to eat. Yes, someone has to pull the sleigh or chew moss for the crowd!

When deer spend the winter on a farm, the reindeer herder can sleep peacefully, then the deer will not die of hunger, it will not be eaten by a predator or run over by a car. By the way, about predators. A significant part of the deer, about a few percent, becomes food for animals. In Lapland there are lynxes, wolves and bears that are not averse to snacking on venison, but the most dangerous animal for deer is the wolverine. There are not many wolverines within Rovaniemi, but further north they are a real scourge. Wolverine hunts mainly deer calves, but kills not only for food, but also for “sporting interest.” Purely to “keep in shape” or stock up for a rainy day.

Hunting wolverines is prohibited by law in Finland. For the above reason, in the 1980s, almost all wolverines were exterminated, that is, they were slightly overdone. The only way to preserve the species was a total ban on hunting, which is now punishable by a maximum fine of 16,500 €! The wolverine population has grown from a dozen individuals to a couple of hundred, however, since thousands of reindeer are dying from wolverines, the Finns are talking about revising this policy.

Wintering on a farm is safer, but it also has its downsides. Here, for example, there is a very young shepherd dog who begins to try his hand and disrupts the regular daily routine of the deer, chasing them around the farm. The loud barking and pressure of a small dog makes deer nervous, despite the fact that they are several times larger and equipped with antlers.

- Hey, brother, what are we going to do?
- Fuck it, let's get lost!

The deer try not to be provoked and ask themselves to enter the fence, which accidentally closed.

Another day we go to a very important event — corral work. Reindeer herders in Lapland are organized into reindeer herding associations based on geographic location. There are 52 such associations in total. Corral works - This is a team sport and reindeer herders from their area gather for them.

In the slang of reindeer herders this is called “separation”, since the reindeer are divided into groups, or “meeting”, because for reindeer herders - this is just a chance to meet. Corral work is carried out several times a year and in different places in the region. In the summer, for example, reindeer herders go into the forest to put their mark on small fawns. This is done 3-4 times. In the fall, “reindeer gathering” is held about 15 times in different places in order to determine those deer that will be sent for meat and those that will be destined to continue the race.

There are no "nobody's" reindeer in Lapland and all reindeer are divided to varying degrees among 5,000 owners. Some people have thousands of deer, others only a few heads. There are also “amateur reindeer herders”. They usually only have a small herd of reindeer, which grazes autonomously in the forest, but such reindeer herders, as a rule, live in the city. For example, a relative may give several deer as a gift for some important occasion, or the deer may be inherited. Amateur reindeer herders help “professional reindeer herders” in whatever way they can, that is, they participate in searching for reindeer in the forest and gathering them into a herd. Professionals, in turn, are stern Lapland men, usually middle-aged or older.

In this sense, Ari with his friend Sampo - a kind of exception, a new wave of young reindeer herders.

However, the father is nearby and helps in every possible way with advice, because his experience is measured in decades.

In his work, a reindeer herder needs to take into account a lot of different factors that we are not even aware of! Ari carefully studies the herd, thinking about which deer will continue the family line.

There are also women among the reindeer herders. They work on equal terms with men. We have already talked about, who is also a master in the production of souvenirs from deer antler.

A very young generation of reindeer herders is also growing. In general, the corral work of local reindeer herders is more reminiscent of a large family gathering. The families know each other well. Wives and children participate in the event.

Previously, reindeer herders traveled on skis, but now they also use cars and, in winter, snowmobiles. Shepherd dogs are still effective today, as they are indispensable helpers. The reindeer herders collectively herd the reindeer into special ready-made fences that are scattered throughout the region. In the forest, deer of different owners are mixed and herded into one large pen.

To begin with, the most violent individuals - alpha males - are removed from the herd. This is done in the traditional way by throwing a lasso. The males' blood is now boiling on the eve of the romantic season, so they can harm the reindeer herders with their antlers.

The first one went!

However, it is not an easy task to drag a hippopotamus from a swamp to tame a reindeer.

How many reindeer herders does it take to handle a full-grown deer? The alpha males are released and then continue their work of spreading love throughout the herd.

The time has come for our hero to throw the lasso.

This succeeds on the second attempt and the deer with the most beautiful antlers is separated from the herd. My friend insures me just in case.

After the gang leaders are removed, small groups of deer are cut off from the herd for convenient work. This happens in a very simple but effective way. A canvas is stretched, which limits the space of movement and creates a small corridor.

About a dozen deer run into a small enclosure.

This is where the deer are sorted.

The most important thing is to determine who owns the deer. The owner's mark is on the deer's ears: at an early age, small pieces are cut off from the ears, resulting in a unique profile that an experienced reindeer herder can distinguish from tens of meters away. Each reindeer herder has his own unique way of doing this. The pattern on the left and right ear is not mirrored and the mark is the sum of the profiles of the left and right ear. Young fawns, still without a mark, are identified by their mother, then the fawn is assigned the same mark as the parent. Reindeer herders say that deer do not hurt when they mark them.

This is where the selection of deer for meat occurs. In Lapland, they eat the meat of young reindeer that have not yet reached puberty. Thanks to this, the meat is very tender and does not have a too strong (sometimes even bitter) taste. Deer meat is really very tasty! It's worth going to Rovaniemi, for example, to try it. We will omit photographs of butchering deer, although there is nothing immoral in this action. This is what both the inhabitants of Lapland and the indigenous peoples of the north of Russia have done for centuries. Reindeer herders can slaughter the reindeer themselves on site or send the reindeer to a special point. The meat of a deer slaughtered by a herder is usually bought by locals and prepared themselves, but such meat cannot legally be served in a restaurant. This does not mean that the reindeer herder does it badly; on the contrary, this method is more humane than at a meat station, and even more so in those places where cows, pigs, etc. are bred. Simply, in the European Union there are laws that do not take into account such specifics as the Lapland reindeer herders. In restaurants and stores, that is, only official and certified meat is served to customers. Since there are relatively few deer, about 90,000 heads are slaughtered every year, the price of deer meat is expensive. At least demand always exceeds supply. Locals buy a dressed carcass from reindeer herders for 9-12 € kilogram (including bones). Meat from a slaughterhouse costs closer to €20 per kilogram, but it is often already packaged and cut. Chilled and frozen deer meat is practically impossible to buy in a regular supermarket. It is bought by wholesalers, mainly for the restaurant industry, but you can buy dried meat or semi-finished products (sausage, baked meat). When venison products reach supermarkets, the price for it reaches 50-60 € / kg, however, of course, without taking into account the weight of the bones.

A special record is kept of how many and whose reindeer are slaughtered and how many are released. Each oval in the account card is a template for applying a unique reindeer herder’s mark.

The strongest individuals are selected for procreation. They undergo mandatory vaccination by a veterinarian right there on the spot.

Deer that are released are given a special mark on their skin to prevent them from being caught twice. It doesn’t hurt, since it doesn’t reach the skin, and the pattern will disappear with the next molt.

Some deer benefit from “prevention.” They decided to turn this deer into an athlete for deer racing, so they “help” him to shed his antlers prematurely, otherwise they could be damaged during training, but this is done very rarely. Usually deer shed their antlers on their own. This occurs immediately after the mating season, that is, in winter. At this time, male deer do not need antlers. They only make the deer heavier and make it difficult to move through deep snow. Females leave their antlers in the winter because they give birth to babies in the spring and need protection from predators. The antlers also help push the male deer so that they don’t get in the way. In summer, the antlers grow back. This happens quite quickly, as blood circulates in the horns. At this time, deer are vulnerable, since if the horn is severely damaged, the deer may die from loss of blood. They are protected only by a delicate “suede” layer of fur. In the summer, the antlers grow a centimeter a day, but by autumn the blood circulation stops and the antlers begin to stiffen. The layer of fur falls off and in October the deer again have bone antlers.

Sorted reindeer are kept in so-called “kontori” (that’s what “kontori” sounds like in Finnish). The road to life!

While the deer are being sorted, the young males measure their strength.

Of course, they cannot defeat adult males yet, but their time will come. You just need to let go of the horns for a couple of years. Every year the males grow more and more horns.

To live well!

The wise deer has already seen a lot of things.

- We'll fight again!

It's time to go back. On the way home we met deer that had been released earlier.

This is roughly how the everyday life of Lapland reindeer herders goes!

If you liked the story, read more stories

It is difficult to imagine Finland without the legendary Jolupukki on a sleigh with a reindeer team, living in the Arctic Circle. Thousands of tourists from all over the world flock to Lapland every year for the sake of reindeer and snow.

But, unfortunately, it is not always possible to combine developed infrastructure and centuries-old traditions without losses. Moreover, in the northern region of Finland, the number of carnivorous wild animals has increased greatly over the past three years.
Local residents of Lapland have been sounding the alarm for several years now - the number of reindeer is declining sharply every year. This year's reduced venison supply is comparable to the situation in 2000, when extreme weather conditions forced animals to starve.

Reindeer husbandry to this day in Finnish Lapland is maintained by hereditary reindeer herders, so semi-wild reindeer walking around can be seen right on the roadway. However, you should not touch them - they are semi-wild, that is, having an owner, they graze on their own throughout the Lapland tundra.

The spectacular reindeer races, well known among tourists, are held in all six districts of Lapland, usually in areas with the largest concentration of holidaymakers. Lapland souvenirs typically feature antlered reindeer, a symbol of northern Finland that has given rise to a world-famous brand for the Lapland people.

Lapland reindeer herders have become part of the national Sami culture and have been mentioned in written sources since the 1600s. Even under the Swedish king Charles IX, a decree was issued on the domestication of wild reindeer breeds in northern Finland. Since ancient times, deer have had commercial significance and were used as a means of transportation. The experience of reindeer breeding is passed down from generation to generation. Children of reindeer herders learn from an early age to follow the horned beauties, receiving as a gift from their father a part of the reindeer and their own sign to mark them. Reindeer are not kept in pens: they move freely throughout Lapland.

Reindeer are the property of the owner, the reindeer herder, so hunting them is prohibited in the country. The welfare of the owner depends on the number of individuals, so when asked about the size of the herd, the reindeer herder usually answers that he has “deer running along both sides of the tree.” In the warm season, reindeer herders prepare food for the winter in the form of hay and dry branches. In the fall, the owners collect the deer in special enclosures, where they are counted and sorted. Fawns born in the spring are branded with the owner's mark. The young animals are released into the wild. In an unmarked baby, it is not difficult to determine the owner-reindeer herder, since he always follows his mother.

You get used to the reindeer freely roaming the roads of Lapland within the first day of your trip. There are so many of them that it is impossible to drive through and not see a single reindeer, especially in summer. Knowing the habits of wild animals, Laplanders strongly advise tourists to sharply slow down when they see deer standing on the side of the road, because they can rush as fast as they can right under the wheels of a car, trying in such a ridiculous way to turn off the road or run towards their relatives. It happens that several handsome horned animals stand in the middle of the road, having lost their leader. However, you won't be able to feed or pet them - reindeer have a wild temperament.

Representatives of the Finnish Lapland reindeer breed change their antlers every year in the spring. This species of animal is characterized by a beautiful crown on the head of both the male and the female. It happens that the growth of horns in males reaches two centimeters per day. The shedding of antlers is accompanied by deer fights. Another feature of this breed of reindeer is the presence of skin on the antlers. In the fall, their skin begins to peel off, hanging in pieces from the exposed horns. In the fall, male deer begin their mating season, and they behave especially aggressively towards humans.
Delicious reindeer meat is available in all stores in Lapland. It is sold in frozen, smoked and canned forms. Restaurants offer tourists at least five different venison dishes, introducing guests to national cuisine. By the way, I personally tried smoked venison soup in cream in Rovaniemi - you will lick your fingers!

The cost of reindeer meat is extremely high, especially that which is transported to central and southern Finland through suppliers. Directly from Lapland producers, a whole or half of a deer carcass can be bought for just ten euros a kilo, so a local without a large separate freezer is not a Laplander, because from this treasure trove they get frozen venison, elk meat, fish and berries throughout the year.

Today, in Finnish Lapland there are 56 reindeer herding farms, which occupy about 114,000 square meters. m. As a result of the reduction in livestock numbers, this year only 80,000 deer were sent to slaughter from all farms, and this figure drops every year. Let me remind you that in 2010 the number of slaughtered livestock was more than 100,000, and in 2005 reindeer herders were experiencing their best years, having the opportunity to slaughter 124,153 animals.

Experts see the reason for the decrease in the number of reindeer in the contradiction between providing favorable conditions for the development of tourism in Lapland and the expectation of a stable supply of venison from reindeer herding farms. Numerous tourist areas are narrowing the reindeer pastures, leaving meager areas for the animals to feed on. Tracking and hunting of predators is limited by strict regulations. Many researchers see the problem of the crisis in reindeer husbandry not only in numerous predators and poor pastures, but also in overly large herds that do not have enough food in the territory allotted to them.

From a financial point of view, mandatory feeding of reindeer has become difficult for reindeer herders. Since the process of feeding animals in the wild is mechanized, the reindeer herder must own a car, a motor sleigh and an ATV. Increasing fuel prices and the use and maintenance of expensive technical equipment sometimes limit the frequency of winter feeding.

The decline in the number of reindeer herds is directly related to the increase in the number of predators in Lapland. Last year alone, more than 5,000 deer were lost as a result of attacks by large carnivorous animals, which means that prices for deer meat are likely to increase by up to 20-30% in the near future. In addition to the reindeer herders themselves, Finnish restaurant chefs and companies involved in the processing of reindeer skins are mainly concerned about the reduction in the supply of venison and changes in its cost.

Government policy legally protects Lapland's predatory animals by paying monetary compensation to reindeer owners based on evidence found from the reindeer. However, Lapland reindeer herders believe that these amounts do not cover the costs. From their point of view, the number of predatory animals should be controlled.

Today, a reindeer herder has the right to get even with a specific predator that causes significant damage to him, only with the consent of the relevant environmental authorities.
By the way, the capture of the animal is carried out at the hunter’s own expense. Thus, recently in the Salla region they unsuccessfully searched for a wolf that had killed more than ten deer.

Statistics show that at least one hundred wolverines roam the territory of reindeer herding farms, which are endangered and it is prohibited by law to catch them. In addition to wolverines, in the Lapland forests, bears are not averse to feasting on venison; according to average estimates, there are 200–300 of them, hundreds of lynxes and hundreds of hungry wolves that migrated from Russia and other regions of Finland closer to the reindeer farms.

Husky Park and Safari Express 2 and 4 km(Husky Point Kennel)
Duration: 2 hours

On this excursion you will meet real Siberian huskies with thick fluffy fur and blue eyes, as well as foxes, Spitz dogs, arctic foxes, Boogie the tundra wolf and husky wolves. The nursery is located just 15 min. drive from Levi. On a dog sled trip, you ride on sleds as passengers: you sit two people per sled (you can take a small child). The musher stands on the runners behind the sled, and you get the feeling that the huskies themselves are rushing you along the taiga paths. A journey of 2 or 4 kilometers flies by like one unforgettable moment. After the trip, it’s nice to sit in a yurt by the fire, taste sausages fried over the fire and a hot drink (tea/coffee/juice). The owner, the famous musher Reijo Jaskelainen, will show a film in Russian/English about the history of the Laika breed, their habits and content. A local attraction called “Kiss of the Deer” will be a bonus.

Husky nursery and self-guided sled safaris 5 and 10 km (kennel of Paulina and Hannu)
Duration: 2 hours

The nursery is located just 15 min. drive from Levi. The owners of the farm, Pauliina and Hanna, keep real racing Alaskan Huskies, as well as Siberian Huskies. Their pets are participants and winners of the latest European and Scandinavian competitions. Safari routes for 5 and 10 km. Upon arrival, you will go through a musher school and immediately go on a safari, as the dogs harnessed to the sleds are very impatient. The route will take you through forests and open hills with beautiful views. After the safari, you can warm up in a cozy yurt, drink hot berry juice, tea or coffee and fry a sausage over the fire. The owner will be happy to tell you a lot of interesting things about the “dog” life of her pets. The kennel houses more than 70 dogs. You can also meet husky puppies.

"Polar Express": husky + deer (Husky Point Kennel)
Duration: 2.5 hours

A combination of two of the most popular excursions in Lapland - the traditional means of transport in the Arctic - huskies and reindeer. After a breathtaking 2km husky safari and a wonderful 1km reindeer ride, your guide will tell you about the traditions of reindeer and dog breeding. During a tour of the nursery, you will meet Spitz dogs, Arctic foxes, Boogie tundra wolves and husky wolves. At the end of the excursion, it’s nice to sit in a yurt by the fire, taste sausages fried over the fire and a drink (tea/coffee/juice).

Wolf Safari 10 km (Husky Point Kennel)
Duration: 2.5 hours
Departure: on request

Are you afraid of wolves too? After this exciting excursion, you will no longer be afraid of them and at the same time get great pleasure from a 10 km ride in a sled with husky wolves through the twilight forest under the control of a professional driver. You can give a trip to a friend for his birthday! At the end of the excursion, it’s nice to sit in a yurt by the fire, taste sausages fried over the fire and a drink (tea/coffee/juice).

Lapland village and mini reindeer safari
Duration: 1.5 hours

A fun program for the whole family. Full of impressions, it is, nevertheless, the shortest and most inexpensive program at the resort. Just 15 min. drive by bus from the resort, on the banks of a taiga river, in the forest, there is a Sami settlement that is more than 200 years old. The owners of the farm, Arja and Erkki, will help you get comfortable in a reindeer sleigh and take you for a ride in a small circle along the river. You will also be able to take pictures with handsome deer with large branched antlers. After the ride, the hostess will invite everyone to the guest house, where she will treat you to warm berry juice by the cozy crackling fireplace and also tell you a lot of interesting things about deer. You can buy interesting handmade souvenirs made from deer antler and skin.

3km self-guided reindeer safari
Duration: 2 hours

This excursion is for those who want to have a fun reindeer ride and manage the team on their own. The starting point is a small and cozy deer farm on the banks of a taiga river. Because deer are semi-wild animals, you will need a short instruction from the farm owner. After that, you get into the sleigh and the reindeer races you along a narrow path through the snowy forest. After riding, you can feed the reindeer moss. Then, in a cozy guest house or Lapland yurt by the fire, you can warm up a little, drink hot coffee/tea with a sweet treat and hear an interesting story from the farm owner about the life of reindeer and reindeer herders.

Visit to a deer farm and super safari 5 km
Duration: 2 hours

Located 15 minutes' drive from Levi, Erya Farm offers a 5km super safari through a fabulous winter forest. From early morning, the owner of the reindeer begins to prepare her pets for the trip: she puts on a picturesque harness, harnesses them to a light homemade sleigh, puts warm reindeer skins in the sleigh for the “passengers,” puts a kettle on the fire... After returning from the forest, a cup of hot tea or coffee with pastries A crackling fire in the fireplace will seem especially delicious. You can buy handmade souvenirs, feed reindeer moss and explore the old buildings on the farm, some of which are over 100 years old.

Reindeer safari 3 km + ice fishing + salmon soup for lunch
Recommended for adults and children over 6 years old
Duration: 4 hours

Combination of a 3 km reindeer safari, ice fishing on Wolf Lake and lunch in a Lapland yurt: hot salmon soup with traditional brown bread and butter, coffee/tea with a sweet bun. A reindeer team is used as transport on the way from the bus stop to the lake (the route is divided into 2 parts, 1.5 km in each direction). Rainbow trout (Finnish salmon) is caught. The fish you catch can be cooked over a fire. During lunch we will talk about nature, animals, reindeer husbandry. Those who successfully return will receive the license to drive a reindeer team.

Reindeer Safari + Ice Fishing + Salmon Soup for Lunch + Snowshoeing
Recommended for adults and children over 6 years old
Duration: 4 hours

The tour is based on the same program as the previous excursion, but with the addition of the possibility of snowshoeing. In winter, the thickness of the snow cover in the forest can reach more than 1 meter. Snowshoes are a great way to get out into untouched places where regular shoes cannot go.
Warm clothing is included in the price of the excursion.

Night reindeer safari "Chasing Aurora"
Duration: 2 hours

You will travel in a time machine to the past, when the Sami used reindeer as their only form of transport, and only the Northern Lights illuminated their path during the long winter nights. The journey from Levi to the departure point will take about 15 minutes. The adventure begins when local reindeer herders take you across the ice to the other side of the taiga river, from where you go on a leisurely 3 km reindeer sleigh ride through the forest. Returning to the reindeer farm, you will be able to observe the night sky of the northern hemisphere, and if you are lucky, see beautiful flashes of the northern lights.
Hot berry juice and a fire in a wooden yurt will help you warm up. It is possible to rent warm overalls for 10€ per person.

Excursion to a horse farm and riding Finnish horses through the winter forest
Day program
Duration:~1 hour (skating 40-45 minutes).

Duration:~2 hours (skating 1-1.5 hours)

Night program (chance to see the northern lights)
Duration:~1 hour (skating 40-45 min.)

The horse farm is located 10 km from the resort of Levi in ​​a snowy forest. You will enjoy a guided tour of the stables, instruction and a horseback ride through the snowy forest. Upon returning back, a treat awaits you - warm juice and cookies. Min. the child's age is 6 years. Max. rider weight - 100 kg.