Reindeer the region of Lapland, Finland, are famous worldwide. They are also very busy this time of year. That's because they are helping Santa Claus to deliver presents to children all the world. However, the animals are facing a great danger. Reindeer herders report that an increasing number reindeer are being killed wolves. The Reindeer Herders' Association Finland says wolves have killed 1,950 reindeer this year. That is a 70 per cent increase last year. Juha Kujala, a Lapland herder, is worried about the future his animals. He said there has been a sudden increase the number of wolves in Finland. This has upset the natural balance reindeer and wolves.
Mr Kujala joked to reporters his animals, even though he is worried them. He said: "These are Santa's reindeer. But we are really lucky because Santa needs them only one day of the year, so we can fly them the other 364 days." Many herders believe the Ukraine War is the reason why there are suddenly more wolves Finland. They say that men who used to hunt wolves in Russia have gone to fight Ukraine. This means many wolves are crossing the 1,340-km border Russia and Finland. Kujala said: "It's worse the Ukraine War started. The wolves are coming the Russian side. There's nobody left hunting the wolves."
