High temperatures and a lack of rain in Southern Norway have left farmers claiming they’ll have to slaughter cattle this fall. The reason: There won’t be enough hay to feed their livestock through the winter. The farmers’ initial harvest of grass grown for cattle feed amounts to just 40 percent of normal supplies, after the […]
Moose starved to death
June 26, 2018
Wildlife authorities have confirmed the deaths by starving of nearly 40 moose in north-central Norway, and fear the numbers will rise. A disputed reduction in hunting has allowed the moose population to grow beyond natural sources of food in winter. Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) reported Tuesday that the cadavers of 39 moose have been found in […]
Bear shot in Trøndelag
April 16, 2018
Hunters tracked down and shot a bear in Midtre Gauldal in Trøndelag last week, acting on authority from the state directorate in charge of the environment. Even though bears are protected in Norway, they’re often shot if they’re viewed as posing a threat to the local population or livestock. News bureau NTB reported that officials […]
Killer whale appears in Oslo’s harbour
April 13, 2018
Norway is known, and often criticized internationally, for its annual whale hunt. This week a killer whale seemed to be seeking refuge, with an unusual appearance in Oslo’s inner harbour. The Oslo fjord is far from the hunting grounds for the sperm whales that Norwegian whaling boats go after in waters off the northern coast. […]
Dogs accused of tormenting deer
March 27, 2018
Heavy snow in the Oslo area has prompted hungry, tired wildlife like moose and deer to wander into more open trails, trailheads and populated areas in search of food. Many have then been chased and even attacked by dogs, with some dog owners reportedly viewing that as sport. “There are some sick attitudes out there,” […]
Polar bears return to an Arctic island
March 27, 2018
A man from Stavanger who’s working at a remote meteorology station on an island east of Svalbard encountered no less than 14 polar bears in the course of just one day. Experts think the sightings may indicate better ice conditions in the area. Bjørn Naustevik Myklebust, age 30, told local newspaper Svalbardposten that his overnight […]
Call issued to end a ‘barbaric’ hunt
February 23, 2018
Wolverine pups that haven’t even seen the light of day are routinely pulled out of their mothers’ winter dens and shot by Norwegian wildlife officials. The controversial practice is part of state-authorized efforts to reduce the wolverine population in Norway, because it threatens free-grazing sheep and reindeer. “I’ll never get used to taking the lives […]
New ‘bloodbath’ on the Nordland train line
February 23, 2018
State railroad Bane Nor has been under pressure to build fences along the tracks of the country’s northernmost train line, Nordlandsbanen, after a series of collisions with reindeer. Now comes news that they’re not the only animals to fall victim to the trains this winter. Newspaper Rana No reported this week that 148 moose have […]
Farmers face far more inspections
February 14, 2018
Filth and animal neglect found at a series of farms in Rogaland, southwestern Norway, were branded as “completely unacceptable” by Agriculture Minister Jon Georg Dale after a meeting with farmers’ representatives. They admitted to “attitude problems” within the industry and now face far more frequent inspections nationwide. Lars Petter Bartnes, leader of the powerful national […]
Pigs suffering at Norwegian farms
February 6, 2018
Agricuture Minister Jon Georg Dale has called the pork industry and its representatives in on the proverbial carpet, after terrible conditions have been revealed at pig farms in southwestern Norway. Another case of poor animal welfare was reported just last week, the latest in a string of embarrassing incidents for farmers who survive on public […]
CURRENCY RATES