Nighttime drives can be treacherous, with the chance of encountering unseen wildlife a constant worry. In Finland, this is especially true for reindeer. A staggering 4,000 of these majestic creatures perish in car accidents annually, causing a heartbreaking loss of life and a hefty €15 million dent in wallets.
Determined to stop this tragedy, the Finnish Reindeer Herders Association has been brainstorming ingenious solutions. One particularly eye-catching idea? Dousing the reindeer in reflective paint!
Imagine cruising down a dark road and suddenly spotting a radiant reindeer, its antlers glowing like a beacon in your headlights. This is the vision the Association hopes to achieve. By making these reindeer more visible, drivers would have ample time to react, preventing collisions and saving countless lives.
“We’re currently testing the paint on their fur, but the antlers might be even better,” said Anne Ollila, head of the Reindeer Herders Association, back in 2014. “They’re visible from every angle, after all!” Photos from that time showcased reindeer sporting a luminous look, with their antlers and parts of their backs gleaming in the darkness.
While the concept is fantastic, real-world application proved a bit trickier. The Association acknowledges this, but their spirit remains unbroken. “The reflective antlers garnered immense global interest and were our most successful campaign yet,” they admitted. “There were durability and practicality challenges, but development continues!”
Finland’s glowing reindeer are just one example of humans taking action to protect wildlife. Many regions around the world are constructing wildlife crossings – special overpasses that allow animals to safely traverse busy roads and reach their natural habitats.
So, the next time you’re in Finland, keep an eye out for these radiant reindeer – a testament to human ingenuity and the fight to keep these beloved creatures safe.
