Large carnivores have always interested humans. Their large size and noticeable presence have both caused concern and sparked our interest. They are social and warm-blooded mammals, just like us, if only a bit hairier. They compete for the same food sources as us and they can be a potential threat to humans. For these reasons we both love and hate large carnivores and like to assign mythical qualities to them. We tell fables about them, use them in our metaphors and name things, objects and even sports teams after them.
A majority of reindeer owners approve of having large carnivores in the reindeer herding area, provided that the damages they cause are compensated for and their populations are managed. The views on large carnivores are the most positive in the northern reindeer herding area and among the younger age groups.
The reindeer was killed by a wolverine. Photo: Metsähallitus, Wilderness supervision
Reindeer herders in the southern Sami reindeer herding districts consider large carnivores a significant economical threat to the reindeer industry. The wolverine is considered especially problematic because its hunting is completely forbidden.
In these reindeer herders' opinion their livelihood has changed from regular reindeer herding to work where the prevention of large carnivore damages and looking for reindeer killed by carnivores in the wilds have become significant parts of the job. Some herders, who base their income on meat production, are barely scratching by, others have quit and yet others are adapting to the situation by basing their livelihood on the compensations paid for large carnivore damages.
To prevent damages caused by large carnivores, some reindeer herders have resulted to keeping their reindeer fenced off during the winter months. Reindeer herders are compensated for reindeer killed by large carnivores in accordance with the Game Animal Damages Act. In order to receive this compensation, the killed reindeer must be found. Reindeer are given locator collars that turn on when the animal stops moving, which allows herders to locate the carcasses. Now dogs are also being trained to locate killed reindeer.
Large carnivores cause different types of damage to reindeer herding, domestic animals, beekeeping and agriculture. Dogs are also lost to carnivores, mostly wolves, during hunting and some are also taken from people's yards.
The views held by Finns are sometimes conflicting when it comes to the population management and conservation of large carnivores. Research has been conducted on how Finns think our large carnivore populations should be managed. This data has been collected via surveys, interviews and public meeting...
Large carnivores are species that are strongly protected under the EU's Habitat Directive (92/43/EEC). However, the Directive does allow some exceptions when it comes to hunting. Non-endangered species – the brown bear and the lynx – may be hunted as part of population management, while the wolf and...
National legislation and international agreements apply to the protection and hunting of Finland’s large carnivores.
For the first time, Metsähallitus wilderness supervision has monitored the results of its work in real time throughout the year. The new system reveals that 368 people violated the law while in nature, and 169 people were caught without necessary permits.