Wild Reindeer Evening

Wild Reindeer Evening – The Long Migration

A shared history spanning 500,000 years

The wild reindeer has travelled far. From South America, via North America and Beringia, before making its way into Europe and eventually to the mountains we know today. Humans arrived from a completely different direction – yet our paths crossed, and everything changed.

For more than half a million years, migrating reindeer herds helped humans survive the harshest climates on Earth. Today, the roles are reversed. The reindeer is the one in need of our help.

This evening is dedicated to the long migration – biological, cultural and human. A story of adaptation, survival and an unlikely bond between two very different species.

Wild reindeer in Hemsedal – what happens next?

In 2017–2018, wild reindeer in the northern part of Nordfjella were culled due to the disease CWD. The reindeer in the southern area are now declared healthy, and work is underway to give them access once again to important grazing areas in Ål and Hemsedal. For Hemsedal, the winter pastures towards Ål are especially important.

On the north side of the valley we also have semi-domesticated reindeer. Wild and semi-domesticated reindeer are the same species – which makes knowledge, respect and good management essential. If wild reindeer are to survive, they need space, peace and room to roam.

Talks, management and the road ahead

The evening brings together strong voices with deep insight:

• Reidar Andersen, author and lecturer, presents the main talk The Long Migration – Two Lineages, One Shared History. Drawing on a lifetime as an outdoorsman, hunter, professor, researcher and wildlife manager, he tells the story of reindeer and humans with warmth, knowledge and presence.

• Hanne Lykkja, Visitor Management Officer in Hemsedal, introduces the concept of visitor management and how land-use planning and ongoing work can help protect wild reindeer habitats.

• Pål Rørby, Mayor of Hemsedal, concludes the evening with an update on the re-establishment of wild reindeer in Nordfjella and plans for the future.

Who is it for?

This is an evening for curious mountain people. Hikers, hunters, nature lovers, families with older children – and anyone who wants to better understand the mountains we move through.

Welcome to an inspiring evening in the Cultural Hall.
A story about the mountains, the reindeer – and the responsibility we share.

Practical information
📍 Cultural Hall, Hemsedal
🗓 12 January
🕖 7:00 PM
🎟 Free admission

How can we, as hikers and mountain wanderers, help take care of the wild reindeer mountains between Ål and Hemsedal? This evening is a good place to start.