The claim
The photo shared is said to show a reindeer in Finland with its bright antlers reflecting to protect it from a collision with a car.
Our conclusion
The claim is false. In 2014, a Finnish initiative attempted to reduce traffic accidents and reindeer deaths in a region of Finland by painting reindeer antlers with reflective paint. However, the reindeer in the currently shared picture was designed by an artist and therefore does not show a real animal.
Luminous reindeer should avoid accidents
Most of the online posts that discuss this photo refer to an effort by a region of Finland in 2014. In Lapland, there are around 4,000 traffic accidents between reindeer and vehicles every year.
___STEADY_PAYWALL___
Therefore, an attempt has actually been made to reduce the number of reindeer fatalities by painting their antlers with reflective paint. Many users therefore believe that the animal in that photo is a deer with such a painting.
As the BBC reports , the Finnish Reindeer Herders Association began using the described method in 2014 to minimize traffic accidents. During this process, an authentic photo of the initiative was created with a reindeer whose antlers were covered in reflective paint.
Efforts rather unsuccessful
However, in 2016, the association reported that this and other efforts, such as hanging “reflectors around [animals’] necks and even using moving traffic signs,” had not led to any improvement in the deaths of these animals at the hands of drivers.
This also has to do with the fact that not many animals had their antlers painted. Anne Ollila from the Finnish Reindeer Breeders Association says that the antlers of 20 reindeer were painted with different fluorescent colors to see how the animals react and whether the colors could withstand the harsh Arctic climate. She further mentions that “reflectors and reflective tape have proven unsuccessful as reindeer have torn them off.”
Instead, a mobile app was designed that same year that registers the animals and warns users when they approach the deer. According to information, this has at least a small positive effect.
However, shared photo is a work of art
Even if suspicion is obvious, the photo currently shared (on Facebook and Twitter ) is not of a deer that has been colored with reflective paint for protection.
Instead, the glowing reindeer was designed by artist and Instagram user @vasjenkatro (Vasjen Katro). He describes himself as a “visual designer” and posted a picture with the corresponding animal on February 6, 2020 . According to the website “Reuters”, he was actually inspired by the Finnish initiative to protect deer.
Describing the image he adds:
“This is 3D. It's not real. It's based on a true story I saw from @berinhasi that in Finland they paint rain deer antlers to glow at night so they don't get hit by cars. That’s what brought me to this piece of art.”
It also fits with the themes of his works at the time, which often depict a foggy atmosphere, deserted streets, and glowing street lamps and neon signs.
Sources:
Reuters , Lead Stories
Also read our fact checks on:
No, no water cannon pictures from Beijing:
Ex-porn star Sasha Gray is advertising for the Russian army?
Ukrainians arrested in Qatar – were Nazi symbols spread?
(Fact check) Video does not show Dr. Thomas Jendges, but Dr. Guido C. Hofmann!
Note: This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication
.
The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic.