Private and self-employed reindeer herders in Yamal received about 1,300 veterinary kits, which amounts to over 80 percent of the distribution plan. With these medical kits, they will be able to treat their animals in emergency situations, which in turn help preserve their herds and enables reindeer herding businesses to prosper, according to a statement released by the Government of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area.

“Yamal’s indigenous people view the effort to distribute veterinary kits as an important and popular project. We can see that this kind of support is effective for reindeer herders since being able to offer these animals treatments in a timely manner reduces the risk of diseases. This, in turn, means more quality reindeer products. Reindeer herders have been very positive about this project, which means that we will keep expanding it,” Yevgeny Popov, who heads the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area’s veterinary services, said.

All reindeer owners taking part in veterinary initiatives, reindeer labeling and registration can receive these kits for free. They include medicines, bandages and supplies, as well as syringes. Starting this year, they also include antiseptic and antiparasitic treatments.

Yamal Governor Dmitry Artyukhov took the decision to launch this project after visiting the Cisuralian Tundra and talking to reindeer herders.