Background
Nature conservancy authorities and users of the wild reindeer habitats of Setesdal Ryfylke and Setesdal Austhei wish to gain a better understanding of the wild reindeer’s use of these areas throughout the year, in order to propose measures which can reduce the conflict caused by human activity.

Equipping wild reindeer with modern GPS-tracking devices provides a unique opportunity to study the flocks’ behaviour and use of the area. This will give a greater insight into the natural barriers, corridors, man-made changes in the landscape and human activity which affect the reindeer’s use of its habitat.

Wild reindeer is a species that requires a large amount of space. A number of licence-holders are often present in the wild reindeer’s range. This is a challenge when it comes to managing the wild reindeer population, and also in connection with regulatory requirements to carry out surveys or implement compensatory measures to mitigate the negative impact of new hydropower facilities. 

Follow-up surveys and measures to adjust the biotope are among the conditions which may be raised in connection with environmental audits, and which Statkraft will meet in the years ahead in areas where we have facilities located in wild reindeer habitats.

Implementation
The Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) is responsible for the project’s implementation, and Statkraft is one of several participating organisations.

Results
The project’s objective is to make scientifically sound recommendations for measures that can encourage the wild reindeer to make better use of the area available to them, and which are in accordance with national guidelines and international commitments.

Digital maps which show the movement of the wild reindeer through the year in relation to man-made interventions in the landscape can highlight areas of conflict over space, and provide greater predictability with respect to space management both locally and regionally. Power utilities will, for example, need a knowledge of the wild reindeer in connection with licence renewals, audits and compensatory measures.