The Taimyr's wild reindeer population is steadily declining. According to the latest data from the Krasnoyarsk Scientific Centre of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the graph of animal population dynamics has been continuously going downward since 2003. While 21 years ago the Taimyr reindeer numbered about 598 thousand individuals, in 2023 scientists could find only 107 thousand individuals. Specialists are sounding the alarm—further reduction in numbers may lead to the species' extinction or, at the very least, loss of its commercial value. The Taimyr reindeer is not only an important component of the ecosystem but also a resource that plays an important function in the life of the indigenous peoples of the Arctic part of Krasnoyarsk Territory. The idea to completely ban hunting wild reindeer may seem reasonable, but only at first glance. This measure would be a painful blow to the traditional way of farming and, as a consequence, could make life even harder for tundra residents.

Within the framework of the forthcoming expedition, specialists from SFU intend to find answers to the questions posed. In addition to ecological issues, the scientists are going to investigate the nature of wild reindeer exploitation in the industry to improve its economic efficiency.

According to him, the deputies of the Arctic regions of Krasnoyarsk Territory at the regional level have repeatedly raised the issue of fuller use of products obtained as a result of hunting wild reindeer. Not only meat and horns but also skins, bones and other biological materials can be used in modern industry to produce clothing, medicines, active food supplements, etc. Scientists will conduct research 'in the field' to bring relevant information and proposals for rationalising farming to the level of regional and federal authorities.

More complete utilisation of wild deer means increased economic efficiency from each animal harvested. This in turn will reduce wild deer quotas for communities. According to Anatoly Shapkin, head of the ecology and reindeer breeding group of the Research Institute of Agriculture and Ecology of the Arctic of the FKSC SB RAS, the current quota of 40 thousand animals per year is already outdated. It was introduced at the beginning of the century and has not been revised since. Poaching also creates additional problems—economic use of reindeer in excess of the prescribed limit is carried out in barbaric ways, and often the already harvested animal is not used to its full extent. For instance, while the deer are crossing rivers, many poachers cut antlers, which are still growing, fresh and soft. An infection then enters the wounds, which ruins many animals.

Simultaneous introduction of strict restrictive regulations together with increasing the 'efficiency' of each animal could be the basis for reducing wild deer harvest in units without loss of money for local residents. Today, scientists propose a temporary moratorium on hunting for all population groups except those leading traditional lifestyles. Today, according to Leonid Kolpashchikov, head of the scientific department of the United Directorate of Taimyr Nature Reserves, about 1,000 farms with 8 reindeer per year have the right to harvest wild reindeer among indigenous peoples. The reduction from 40 to 8 thousand reindeer should have a positive impact on the reproduction of the herd. Experts consider an optimal population of 700–800 thousand individuals, i.e. slightly above the 1990 level.

The programme of the forthcoming expeditions includes aerial counting of animals, field work with representatives of indigenous minorities and hunting farms, as well as enterprises engaged in processing reindeer into useful and tasty products. The prospect of increasing the productivity of local industry in the modern Arctic no longer looks utopian, as the combined economic effect of economic preferences, a special tax regime and regional and federal support for the traditional way of farming is already having an impact on improving the living standards of tundra residents. The special conditions for the Arctic economy make it possible to balance decisions made based on environmental considerations in such a way that they do not harm local people and allow for the recovery of animal populations in the coming years.