Record Wolf Attacks Devastate Finnish Reindeer Herds

In 2025, Finnish reindeer herds suffered record losses, with wolves accounting for more than 2,100 deaths. Reindeer herders, like Juha Kujala near Kuusamo, report a significant increase in wolf predation, pointing to tracks from Russia as evidence. They suspect the war in Ukraine has displaced wolves, forcing them into Finnish territory.

While herders believe the Ukraine conflict is a key factor, authorities are hesitant to draw definitive conclusions. The Finnish Natural Resources Institute suggests the war might play a role, citing historical precedents of wolf population increases during wartime. However, conclusive evidence linking the current attacks to the war remains elusive.

Historically a protected species, the European wolf population has grown substantially. In response to increasing livestock predation, Finland revised its conservation approach. At the start of 2026, the country lifted its ban on wolf hunting, introducing a quota system to manage population growth. Genetic testing on wolves shot for population control is ongoing, with preliminary results suggesting some may originate from outside Finland, possibly Russia.