Eurasian Reindeer Rangifer tarandus
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Between 1911 and 1925 reindeer were introduced to South Georgia by the Norwegian whaling companies to provide them with sport and fresh meat. Stock was brought from Norway. They thrived well, multiplying to thousands, substituting their usual lichen diet in Eurasia with tussac grass.
Reindeer are light brown with lighter grey bellies and rumps. They have wide splayed hooves for travelling across snow. Both males and females have antlers, although the males’ typically grow longer.
In 2001 59 reindeer calves (26 females, 33 males) were translocated from South Georgia to the Falklands, and bred successfully on East Falklands. Also 31 reindeer were brought from Husvik, South Georgia to be resettled on Weddell and Beaver Islands. Reindeer have now been eradicated from South Georgia. |
Sources include: Falkland Islands State of the Environment Report 2008 Otley H, Munro G, Clausen A, Ingham B.The Dictionary of Falklands Biography- David Tatham, A Field Guide to the Wildlife of The Falkland Islands and South Georgia - Ian J Strange
Reindeer photographed by Nyree Heathman and Shirley PoleEvans
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