Reindeers of Siberia

One of the most authentic tourist experiences in Siberia is to visit a Reindeer-Herder festival – every region has its own festival in late March / early April to celebrate the long-awaited arrival of spring with reindeer races and cultural activities.

Whilst ethnic Russians mostly come to Siberia to work in the region’s numerous mines and gas and oil fields, the native peoples of Siberia have historically survived in this very harsh region by herding reindeer, a practice that still continues, but which is increasingly under threat due to social, economic and environmental challenges, including global warming.  To find out more about the issues that reindeer herders face today, visit the website of the International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry (http://www.reindeerherding.org)