Norwegian reindeer calf suspected to have died from F-35 fighter jet noise

A reindeer calf in northern Norway is believed to have died from shock caused by the noise of a low-flying F-35 fighter jet, Norwegian public broadcaster NRK reports. The owner of the animal has demanded compensation, while a Finnish veterinarian confirms such a death is possible.

Maret Kemi, a reindeer herder in Karasjok, northern Norway, told NRK she witnessed the calf die after F-35 jets flew overhead at what she believes was an illegally low altitude. The Norwegian Armed Forces confirmed that F-35s conducted low-altitude training in the area on Monday, with the minimum flight height recorded at approximately 90 metres.

Hanna Nurmi, a veterinarian and executive director of Finland’s Reindeer Herders’ Association, stated that reindeer—despite being semi-domesticated—are highly skittish animals. She explained that extreme stress from sudden noise can trigger capture myopathy, a muscle breakdown condition that may lead to death immediately or weeks later. During calving season, she added, loud disturbances can cause pregnant females to miscarry or injure themselves while fleeing.

Norway’s military compensates livestock owners for animal deaths caused by low-flying aircraft. Recent years have seen confirmed cases of cattle, horses, and fur animals dying from noise stress, with F-35s—louder than their F-16 predecessors—prompting payouts to both farmers and residents near airbases. Finland’s Air Force has noted that while its incoming F-35s will not be significantly louder than current Hornet jets, differences in engine frequency could make the noise seem more intense.

The first F-35s are set to arrive at Rovaniemi Air Base this autumn, a region critical to Finnish reindeer herding. Increased military activity, including NATO’s Nordic Response exercise, has already disrupted herding operations in northern Finland, forcing herders to relocate reindeer away from training zones.