In Norwayduring the hunting trips of the Vikings, the reindeer adopted a unique defensive tactic: the so-called “reindeer cyclones”. This extraordinary collective behavior occurred when the herd felt threatened. The animals began running in circles, creating a swirling spiral that made it almost impossible for hunters to locate and hit a single specimen. This strategy not only confused human predators, but was also effective against wolves and bears.
A documentary entitled “Wild Way of the Vikings”which aired on PBS on February 13, recently showed spectacular aerial footage of a reindeer cyclone, offering a unique look at this extraordinary natural defense. The main scene alternates a reconstruction of Viking hunting with authentic footage, underlining the importance of these animals for the Vikings, who exploited their meat, skins, bones and horns.
The dynamics of cyclones: a deadly visual deception
One of the documentary’s most impressive sequences shows an actor playing a Viking hunter attempting to approach a pack. The camera captures the moment the group of reindeer begins running frantically counterclockwise, forming a vortex that tightens towards the center. This movement, which resembles a real cyclone, creates a hypnotic effect that disorientates the predator, making it almost impossible to strike accurately.
Captive reindeer also show the same behavior. A study published in 2002 in the journal Rangifer has documented that groups of at least 20-25 reindeer in enclosures form cyclones that invariably develop in an anti-clockwise direction.
A legacy from nature and Viking history
Reindeer hunting was one of the many activities practiced by the Vikings, known for their ability to take advantage of every available resource. According to Albína Hulda Pálsdóttir, archaeozoologist and scientific consultant on the documentary, the Vikings used bows, arrows, nets and ropes to hunt not only reindeer, but also birds, fish and marine mammals.
Thanks to global warming and the melting permafrost in Norway, many Viking tools have been found intact after more than a thousand years. These finds offer new insights into better understanding the hunting techniques used by our ancestors.
