TARANDUS network 2.0

The TARANDUS network is a collaborative platform that brings together researchers, veterinarians, and stakeholders who work with reindeer health and welfare. It was established in 2021 to help address the growing challenges facing reindeer husbandry, especially those caused by climate change.

Why is it needed?

Reindeer husbandry is vital in northern Fennoscandia because it:

• Supports local food security, particularly in remote areas and is central to Sámi livelihoods, culture, and history

• Contributes to crisis preparedness, including during emergencies or conflict

• Provides ecosystem services, such as controlling shrub encroachment and preserving biodiversity

However, climate change is making winters more unstable, with frequent freeze–thaw cycles that create ice-covered pastures. This limits access to natural grazing and forces herders to rely more on supplementary feeding, which can lead to increased stress, disease and altered behaviour in reindeer and place considerable physical and economic burden on the herders.

Why is it important?

By connecting around 100 active members across Fennoscandia and further afield, the Tarandus network strengthens preparedness and resilience in reindeer husbandry. It helps ensure that reindeer production remains sustainable, climate-adapted, and low-impact, while protecting animal welfare and supporting Sámi culture and northern food systems in a rapidly changing climate.

What does the TARANDUS network do?

The network provides a forum for sharing knowledge on reindeer health and welfare through:

• Discussions on disease outbreaks and emerging risks, encourage collaboration and new research projects, and supports climate-adapted preventive management practices

• Creating opportunities for PhD students and early-career researchers to learn, network, and present their work.