Post by The Big Daddy C-Master on Dec 16, 2015 6:35:17 GMT -5
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Best known for their role in helping Santa Claus fly around the world on Christmas Eve, real reindeer are some very impressive mammals all year round - even without Rudolph’s shiny nose. These animals are the only member of the deer family where both males and females have antlers, and are known as caribou in North America.
(MORE: 50 Ultimate Travel Destinations for Animal Lovers)
Reindeer and caribou are believed to be the same species, although they do look slightly different and inhabit different parts of the world. Caribou are found in the arctic regions of North America and Greenland. “[They] are large, wild, elk-like animals,” explains Troy Stump, director of ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park in Hershey, Pennsylvania, home to reindeer each winter. “Because Caribou can live on lichens in the winter, they are very well adapted for the harsh arctic tundra where they migrate great distances each year.” Meanwhile, according to Stump, reindeer are slightly smaller and inhabit northern Eurasia. Reindeer have also been domesticated in Europe for about 2000 years, and are herded by the Sami in Scandinavia and the Nenets in Russia, both of whom depend on the reindeer for food, clothing and shelter.
(MORE: Stunning Places to See in Scandinavia)
So whether you want to witness the impressive migration of these animals in the wild, or get up close to a reindeer at a farm, here are five places to see these majestic creatures in person.
1. Laplands, Scandinavia
In Europe, wild reindeer live in the Laplands of Scandinavia, which span northern Norway, Finland and Sweden. Norway alone itself is home to roughly 270,000 reindeer. The best way to see wild reindeer is by safari tour, and it is actually easier to spot the animals in the summer, although winter visits are possible. The Norwegian lake town of Eikesdalen, near the Mardalsfossen waterfall is one great place to go for such a tour, with each safari lasting four to five hours and including a lunch. In summer, the animals can also be spotted in Iceland’s Vatnajökull National Park, while in winter, Kirkenes Snow Hotel is a great place to while searching for reindeer in the snow.
Scandinavia is also home to domesticated herds of the animals, used to pull sleighs or for their meat and pelts. Most domesticated reindeer are cared for by the the Samis people in Scandinavia. Visitors can often visit reindeer farms and visitor centers for the opportunity to get up close to some of these majestic creatures. It is also possible to go reindeer sledging with organized tours. Meanwhile, in Finland, travelers in a Christmassy mood can also see reindeer in Santa Claus’ hometown of Rovaniemi, in Finland above the Arctic Circle. The town is home to a genuine reindeer farm, and it is also possible to enjoy a reindeer-drawn sleigh ride.
2. Canada and Alaska
North American caribou (reindeer) live in the Arctic tundra of Alaska and Canada and they are famous for their massive seasonal migrations, which spans over 1,600 miles each year. During these migrations, the animals are almost constantly on the move, from their northward summer grazing grounds to to their southerly winter homes. According to ZooAmerican Norh American Wildlife Park director Stump, a Caribou calf can run within 90 minutes of its birth. “It must do this to keep up with the migrating herds,” he explained.
One of the largest herds in North America is the Western Arctic herd, and they can be spotted wintering in the Nulato Hills area of Alaska. The best time to spot migrating caribou is in the fall between late August and mid-October, when the animals are moving at a more leisurely pace during the fall migration, unless there is a sudden temperature drop or snowfall, making them slightly easier to see in Fall. There are tour groups, such as Arctic Wild, that offer visitors packages to see the migrating caribou.
3. Cairngorms National Park, Scotland
Since 1952, reindeer have lived in Cairngorms National Park. They were brought to the region by Mikel Utsi and his wife, from Sweden. Wild reindeer are believed to have lived in the region 800 years before, but not since. However, the herd thrived, and today, there are currently 150 reindeer in this free-ranging herd that inhabits the Glenlivet Estate and surrounding 10,000 acres of Cairngorm Mountainsides.
The animals are known to be tame and friendly to visitors, making this an excellent place to see reindeer all year round as the centre in Glenmore is open to guests from mid-February through early January. There are several experienced reindeer herders available to take guests up into the mountains to find the animals. The reindeer can even be hand-fed by visitors who make the trek. Guests should be aware, however, that winter trips are weather dependant and may be unsuitable for children due to the unsteady terrain.
4. Greenland
Caribou (reindeer) have lived in Greenland for thousands of years, making them a major part of the culture of the area. They are the only species of deer found in the country, according to Visit Greenland, and are the most widespread land mammal, inhabiting mostly Greenland’s west coast. These animals are one of only eight species that are able to thrive in the country’s harsh conditions.
The best places to spot some of these wild animals is on a hike in the Greenlandic fells, between Paamiut and Uummannaq. Visitors should be aware that the creatures scare easily at sudden noises, and will gallop away if frightened at speeds over 40 miles per hour, so the best way to photograph one of these wild animals is by remaining downwind and at a safe distance.
5. Russia
Arctic Russia has long been home to nomadic reindeer herders, the Nenets, who rely on the animals for their survival, using them for food, clothing and making a living. Still today, they have preserved their traditional culture and way of life, living in this remote region in Siberia, one of the coldest inhabited places in the world. The Nenets have remained isolated from the rest of the world, including the rest of Russia, meaning they are not used to seeing tourists. Access is difficult as there are no roads and the area is still closed to outsiders (including Russians) unless visitors have obtained a temporary permit, which requires going through a complicated three-month process, according to Yamal Peninsula Travel. As a result, very few outside visitors have the opportunity to make this trip and visit the region’s reindeer.
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Best known for their role in helping Santa Claus fly around the world on Christmas Eve, real reindeer are some very impressive mammals all year round - even without Rudolph’s shiny nose. These animals are the only member of the deer family where both males and females have antlers, and are known as caribou in North America.
(MORE: 50 Ultimate Travel Destinations for Animal Lovers)
Reindeer and caribou are believed to be the same species, although they do look slightly different and inhabit different parts of the world. Caribou are found in the arctic regions of North America and Greenland. “[They] are large, wild, elk-like animals,” explains Troy Stump, director of ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park in Hershey, Pennsylvania, home to reindeer each winter. “Because Caribou can live on lichens in the winter, they are very well adapted for the harsh arctic tundra where they migrate great distances each year.” Meanwhile, according to Stump, reindeer are slightly smaller and inhabit northern Eurasia. Reindeer have also been domesticated in Europe for about 2000 years, and are herded by the Sami in Scandinavia and the Nenets in Russia, both of whom depend on the reindeer for food, clothing and shelter.
(MORE: Stunning Places to See in Scandinavia)
So whether you want to witness the impressive migration of these animals in the wild, or get up close to a reindeer at a farm, here are five places to see these majestic creatures in person.
1. Laplands, Scandinavia
In Europe, wild reindeer live in the Laplands of Scandinavia, which span northern Norway, Finland and Sweden. Norway alone itself is home to roughly 270,000 reindeer. The best way to see wild reindeer is by safari tour, and it is actually easier to spot the animals in the summer, although winter visits are possible. The Norwegian lake town of Eikesdalen, near the Mardalsfossen waterfall is one great place to go for such a tour, with each safari lasting four to five hours and including a lunch. In summer, the animals can also be spotted in Iceland’s Vatnajökull National Park, while in winter, Kirkenes Snow Hotel is a great place to while searching for reindeer in the snow.
Scandinavia is also home to domesticated herds of the animals, used to pull sleighs or for their meat and pelts. Most domesticated reindeer are cared for by the the Samis people in Scandinavia. Visitors can often visit reindeer farms and visitor centers for the opportunity to get up close to some of these majestic creatures. It is also possible to go reindeer sledging with organized tours. Meanwhile, in Finland, travelers in a Christmassy mood can also see reindeer in Santa Claus’ hometown of Rovaniemi, in Finland above the Arctic Circle. The town is home to a genuine reindeer farm, and it is also possible to enjoy a reindeer-drawn sleigh ride.
2. Canada and Alaska
North American caribou (reindeer) live in the Arctic tundra of Alaska and Canada and they are famous for their massive seasonal migrations, which spans over 1,600 miles each year. During these migrations, the animals are almost constantly on the move, from their northward summer grazing grounds to to their southerly winter homes. According to ZooAmerican Norh American Wildlife Park director Stump, a Caribou calf can run within 90 minutes of its birth. “It must do this to keep up with the migrating herds,” he explained.
One of the largest herds in North America is the Western Arctic herd, and they can be spotted wintering in the Nulato Hills area of Alaska. The best time to spot migrating caribou is in the fall between late August and mid-October, when the animals are moving at a more leisurely pace during the fall migration, unless there is a sudden temperature drop or snowfall, making them slightly easier to see in Fall. There are tour groups, such as Arctic Wild, that offer visitors packages to see the migrating caribou.
3. Cairngorms National Park, Scotland
Since 1952, reindeer have lived in Cairngorms National Park. They were brought to the region by Mikel Utsi and his wife, from Sweden. Wild reindeer are believed to have lived in the region 800 years before, but not since. However, the herd thrived, and today, there are currently 150 reindeer in this free-ranging herd that inhabits the Glenlivet Estate and surrounding 10,000 acres of Cairngorm Mountainsides.
The animals are known to be tame and friendly to visitors, making this an excellent place to see reindeer all year round as the centre in Glenmore is open to guests from mid-February through early January. There are several experienced reindeer herders available to take guests up into the mountains to find the animals. The reindeer can even be hand-fed by visitors who make the trek. Guests should be aware, however, that winter trips are weather dependant and may be unsuitable for children due to the unsteady terrain.
4. Greenland
Caribou (reindeer) have lived in Greenland for thousands of years, making them a major part of the culture of the area. They are the only species of deer found in the country, according to Visit Greenland, and are the most widespread land mammal, inhabiting mostly Greenland’s west coast. These animals are one of only eight species that are able to thrive in the country’s harsh conditions.
The best places to spot some of these wild animals is on a hike in the Greenlandic fells, between Paamiut and Uummannaq. Visitors should be aware that the creatures scare easily at sudden noises, and will gallop away if frightened at speeds over 40 miles per hour, so the best way to photograph one of these wild animals is by remaining downwind and at a safe distance.
5. Russia
Arctic Russia has long been home to nomadic reindeer herders, the Nenets, who rely on the animals for their survival, using them for food, clothing and making a living. Still today, they have preserved their traditional culture and way of life, living in this remote region in Siberia, one of the coldest inhabited places in the world. The Nenets have remained isolated from the rest of the world, including the rest of Russia, meaning they are not used to seeing tourists. Access is difficult as there are no roads and the area is still closed to outsiders (including Russians) unless visitors have obtained a temporary permit, which requires going through a complicated three-month process, according to Yamal Peninsula Travel. As a result, very few outside visitors have the opportunity to make this trip and visit the region’s reindeer.
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