Reindeer get glow in the dark antlers

Reindeer herders in Lapland are giving their livestock glow-in-the-dark antlers in a bid to save them from being hit by cars.

The antlers of 20 reindeer have been painted with various fluorescent dyes to see which one is the most effective.

It is the the latest attempt to stop thousands of road deaths involving reindeer in Lapland, northern Finland, each year.

Anne Ollila of the Finnish Reindeer Herder's Association says the animals will be monitored to see how they react and whether the paints are resistant to the harsh Arctic climate.

If successful, animals with glittering antlers will be free to roam Lapland - a vast, deserted area in northern Finland where herders tend to some 200,000 reindeer.

Ms Ollila says reflectors and reflective tape have proven unsuccessful in the past as reindeer have torn them off.

And road signs warning drivers of roaming reindeer often are stolen by tourists as souvenirs.

http://web.orange.co.uk/article/quirkies/Reindeer_get_glow_in_the_dark_antlers