In the early 20th century, wild forest reindeer (i.e. European or Finnish forest reindeer) were hunted to extinction in Finland. However, reindeer from Russian Karelia naturally returned to Finland in the 1950s, establishing a permanent population in east-central Finland during the 1960s. In the early 1980s, managers reintroduced around 12 reindeer to the species’ historical range in west-central Finland (Suomenselkä region) and since then, the population has increased to approximately 2,000 individuals. As the population grew, reindeer expanded their range and developed a clear migration pattern by the late 1990s or early 2000s. Today, Suomenselkä reindeer make annual migrations along consistent corridors. In the spring and fall, the reindeer frequently forage in agricultural grasslands and lichen areas. In the summer, the population’s range spans 40,000 km2. Reindeer typically breed and raise their young in pristine taiga forest habitat with marshlands and lakes. During the fall, the reindeer form small groups for the rut, but by late fall or early winter, these groups can increase to nearly 100 individuals. As winter progresses, reindeer once again migrate to forage in lichen-shrub rich areas and aggregate in larger herds covering a smaller winter range than during the summer months. Reindeer have been incrementally lengthening their migrations, moving farther each year in response to resource depletion and shifting lichen abundance.