In Russia, Yamal Reindeer Receive Digital Passports
The new “Northern Shepherd” system uses smart tags and scanners to instantly identify each animal, revolutionizing reindeer herding in the Arctic and boosting food security.
Russia’s Yamal region is rolling out a cutting-edge digital tracking system for reindeer. The technology, called Northern Shepherd, relies on ear tags and scanning frames to instantly identify every animal, transforming one of the Arctic’s oldest livelihoods. Officials say the project could radically improve efficiency in a sector crucial to both regional survival and national food security.
The system is currently being tested in reindeer herding cooperatives in the Priuralsky district, according to Yamal Media. Each reindeer gets a digital ear tag with a unique ID number. When a herd passes through a scanning frame equipped with antennas, the system records all animals in real time—without delays or errors.
For herders, this technology tackles a longstanding problem: the slow, labor-intensive process of counting animals. What once took hours or even days can now be done in seconds, with the added benefit of real-time movement tracking and instant veterinary oversight.
The implications reach far beyond Yamal. If successful, the system could scale to other Russian regions with large herding industries, and even be marketed internationally as a ready-made solution for modern livestock management worldwide.
