Edges of the Arctic: Integrating cryospheric perspectives from Mongolia’s Dukha and Scotland’s Highland reindeer herders

25th March 2026, Arctic Science Summit Week 2026, Aarhus, Denmark

The Reindeer Trust financially supported representative from the Cairngorm Reindeer herd to take part in Arctic Science Summit Week 2026. The aim of the session was to spotlight nonpolar cryospheric regions in Asia, specifically Mongolian and Scottish reindeer herding communities, that have historically received less attention as they are outside the traditionally Arctic-focused cryosphere.

Andi Probert gave a presentation about the Cairngorm Reindeer herd and participated in discussion with scientists from across the globe. The room was joined online by Khongorzul Mungunshagai from the Mongolian Dukha herding community.

Reindeer herder Andi stands at a podium in front of a powerpoint presentation. The screen shows a map of where the Cairngorm reindeer herder are located. — Herder Andi presenting at the Arctic Summit

Andi covered the history of the herd, how it thrives in the Highlands and the changes we’ve seen in the climate over recent years, with shorter winters and prolonged tick seasons, in particular since around 1990.

Andi also gave an overview of the Reindeer Trust and its aims with an overview of some of the research topics the Trust has funded, including improving reproductive success, tick borne illness, and genetic diversity within a semi-closed herd such as the Cairngorm herd.

The photo shows Dukha herder Khongorzul on a video call in front of a photo of tipis — Dukha herder Khongorzul presenting via video link

A short video was then shown of wild reindeer in Mongolia being pursued by Dukha on skis, with the intent of roping them to integrate them into their domesticated herd. Khongorzul gave an overview on reindeer in Mongolia and how for indigenous people, reindeer are integral to their life and culture “If the reindeer disappear, so will our culture”. Khongorzul also showed how herders milk the reindeer and make cheese to sustain them through the winter. Khongorzul raised the concern of scientists visiting their herd, learning from the herders’ expertise and knowledge, then leaving and never coming back with results from their research; something the Reindeer Trust is keen to tackle. The audience agreed that The World Reindeer Herders and the International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry are connecting points for contact, but it would be great to have more scope to share practical knowledge.

More details of the summit can be found here: https://assw.info/past-assws