Freight trains kill 100 reindeer

MORE than 100 migrating reindeer have been killed by speeding freight trains in three days in northern Norway. The country is home to about 250,000 semi-domesticated reindeer and most of them live in the far north of the country.

At this time of year herders take the reindeer to the winter pastures in search of grazing grounds, a perilous journey as many animals are hit by cars and trains. Photos taken by Jon Erling Utsi, the documentary film-maker, showed dead reindeer lying in bloodstained snow. Some were shot after they were left wounded in Saturday’s incident. “It was a nightmare to watch,” Mr Utsi said.

“The worst thing was the animals that were not killed in the accident. They were lying there, suffering. It was a bloodbath over several kilometres,” he added.