Orphaned reindeer calf finds new family in Inari

An orphaned reindeer calf has spent the summer being cared for by the Näkkäläjärvi family in Inari, Yle reports. The calf, named Stikku, has become closely attached to sisters Nuppu-Maaria and Elle-Matilda Näkkäläjärvi, whom it regards as its mothers.

The sisters found the calf when their father, Iisko-Matti Näkkäläjärvi, discovered it beneath a stump inside a reindeer marking fence. The calf’s mother was found dead nearby, although the cause of death is unknown.

An orphaned calf would not survive alone in the forest. Stikku is fed from a bottle four times a day, and caring for it has required the efforts of the entire family. The sisters’ mother, Tiisu-Maria Näkkäläjärvi, has also taken part in the feeding.

“We obviously couldn’t bring ourselves to kill the calf. We wanted to keep it. It was born and given a life,” Nuppu-Maaria Näkkäläjärvi said.

According to Henna Kaarakainen, a veterinarian in the municipality of Inari, caring for a calf at home is demanding and initially requires full-time attention. During its first days, a calf should receive colostrum from a reindeer or cow to obtain antibodies. Stikku had already received colostrum from its mother before she died, which may have saved its life.

Calves are better off with company

Reindeer herder Jonna Alava from Inari has cared for at least 10 calves at home. Her best-known calf, Keke, grew into an adult village reindeer and has about 3,000 followers on social media.

Taking a calf into home care is not an obvious choice for reindeer herders because it requires a major commitment. Alava said a lone calf becomes very attached to its carer or to a dog, if there is one in the household. Caring for two calves is easier, she said.

Keke grew up alongside another calf named Ante, and the two stayed together for a long time. A calf kept alone will usually follow people and may not learn to live as part of a reindeer herd, Alava said.

“The calf sees us as its mother”

The Näkkäläjärvi sisters said Stikku had not shown signs of missing its mother. Instead, it has become attached to them and sees them as its mothers.

It is impossible to know how other reindeer will accept an orphaned calf. Like Keke, Stikku will probably spend much of its future in the village centre of Inari, the sisters said. They expect it to become a tame reindeer that recognises them.

Stikku lives in the Näkkäläjärvi family’s yard in Inari. The family has put up a sign by the road to warn passers-by to watch out for the calf.