Satellite Maps May Save the Reindeer

Filed under: satellite images

The European Space Agency (ESA) sponsors a program called “Polar View”.  Polar View is a satellite program which concentrates on the Arctic and Antarctic for public good.  One way this global satellite imagery program is being used is by reindeer herders in Norway.  With this program, the herders are now able to view the snow’s depth and estimate the best locations for their animals to graze and reside.

No matter what the reasons may be for global climate change, that it is occurring is factual.  And Norway is a country very much affected by this.  So it’s vital to the survival of snow-dwelling animals to see and know where the snow is and where it isn’t, so they can survive.

There are other factors which make it necessary to sometimes move the reindeer to other locations, as well.  Construction of roads or buildings in previously uninhabited regions forces wild animals out of their homes and demands that they relocate.  Norwegian reindeer herders, using these polar view satellites can see what areas would be best for their animals and, in this way, improve and lengthen their lives.

To see how well Polar View has been working for them, read the CNN article here.

Comments are closed.