Is transport distance correlated with animal welfare and carcass quality of reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus)?

• Published in: Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica
• Main Authors: Laaksonen, Sauli, Jokelainen, Pikka, Pusenius, Jyrki, Oksanen, Antti
• Other Authors: Departments of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Veterinary Biosciences, Veterinary Pathology and Parasitology, Antti Sukura / Principal Investigator
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: BioMed Central 2017
• Subjects: Reindeer; Meat inspection; Stress; Handling; Transport; Trauma; Aspiration of rumen content; Abnormal odour; Welfare; BLOOD; MEAT; Veterinary science; Slaughter; Rangifer tarandus
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10138/180428

Background: Slaughter reindeer are exposed to stress caused by gathering, handling, loading and unloading, and by conditions in vehicles during transport. These stress factors can lead to compromised welfare and trauma such as bruises or fractures, aspiration of rumen content, and abnormal odour in...