RUDOLPH and friends no longer need to rely on the famous reindeer’s red nose to avoid getting lost. Now they have wireless technology.

Herders in Lapland who once spent weeks searching for reindeer in sub-zero temperatures are now fitting them with internet-connected collars so they can follow their movements on a mobile app.

Most herders allow reindeer to forage wild for much of the year, but this makes it difficult to account for losses, with thousands killed by predators which include wolves, lynx and wolverines. Herder Seppo Koivisto says he loses around 8 per cent of his herd annually, though it is not obvious the app will reduce this.

Many say they hope the introduction of new technology will help attract young Lapps and Finns to a traditional herding career thought at risk of dying out. But critics point out that herders who have switched to the app need fewer workers — Mr Koivisto only hires half as many as he used to for the same task.