Scientists say reindeer may be shrinking due to warming

Reindeer living on the Arctic island ofSvalbardaregetting smallerand scientists say climate change may be the cause.

Scientists from Britain and Norway have found that adultSvalbardreindeer born in 2010 weigh 12 per cent less on average than thoseborn in 1994.

Ecologist SteveAlbon,of Scotland's JamesHuttonInstitute, said rising temperatures in the Arctic meanSvalbardis getting morerain, creating a hard ice sheet the island's reindeer can't easilybreak through to reach food.

Reindeer populations are also increasing due to warmer summers,stoking competition.

Albonsaid researchers think there is a correlation betweenrising temperatures and reindeer weight. He said more research isneeded to confirm the link.

Their findings were presented Monday at a meeting of the British Ecological Society.

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