Reindeer Warning!

Travelers using roads in east Iceland are advised to be on the lookout for wandering herds of reindeer.

RÚV reports that both The Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration (Vegagerðin) and The Center for Natural Research of East Iceland (NA) have warned drivers that road conditions are snowy and icy throughout east and southeast Iceland. At the same time, reindeer are traveling in herds closer to roads – making it more difficult for drivers to stop in time.

According to NA, 13 reindeer died in 2013 as a result of impacts with vehicles, the highest number since 2007. As can be seen on this graph, one reindeer has already been struck this year.

Reindeer are not native to Iceland, but were brought over in the late 1700s. Today, Iceland’s reindeer population – located almost exclusively in east Iceland – number about 6,000.

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See Also:

Trading Reykjavík For Reindeer