Settlements and farms cluster at the bottom of the valley, while spruce and pine forests cover the slopes, giving way to birch between boreal and alpine zones. Livestock farming remains vital for the rural economy, cultural heritage, and landscape management.
The area lies within the wolverine protection zone, and livestock losses from wolverines are a common challenge. It also borders the lynx protection zone to the north, south and east, while the wolf and bear protection zones are over 100 km away. Still, some losses to these carnivores have occurred in recent decades.
Municipalities
Geographical size
Human population
Number of livestock farmers
Livestock farming systems
Large carnivore species
Wolverine population
Lynx population
SOCIOECONOMIC CONTEXT
The region borders several of Norway’s most iconic national parks: Rondane, Jotunheimen, and Dovrefjell. These protected areas are important for biodiversity, and provide extensive grazing grounds for livestock, reflecting the area's long-standing tradition of outfield grazing. Livestock farming remains vital for the rural economy, cultural heritage, and landscape management. Reindeer herding also takes place in some of the national parks. Nord-Gudbrandsdalen is home to all four of Norway's native deer species: moose, roe deer, red deer and wild reindeer. The area is a popular destination for hunting, which plays an important role in local culture and wildlife management.
Agriculture has traditionally been an important source of employment. Although a relatively large proportion of the population still resides on agricultural properties, most residents today work in healthcare, secondary industries and tourism. Nature-based tourism has become a major year-round sector, driven by access to national parks and a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, kayaking, and fishing.
The region’s central location and economic diversification contribute to expected population stability. However, education levels in the county are among the lowest in Norway, with only 29% of residents in Innlandet having completed higher education, compared to 56% in Oslo.
FARMING CONTEXT
Outfield grazing of free-ranging sheep, cattle and goats remains an important resource for agriculture in the area. Livestock graze on communal lands from early June to late August. Most farms are managed by families or one or two persons. The grazing areas are located in the wolverine protection zone, a management measure adopted by the Norwegian authorities. A large research project will be launched in 2026 with the aim of reducing losses from wolverine predation and ensuring adequate compensation to grazing farmers.
Crossbreeds are most common in dairy cattle and sheep production in Norway — Norwegian Red Cattle and Norwegian White Sheep, respectively. There are also several national and international sheep breeds. Beef production is dominated by continental breeds, particularly Charolais and Hereford.
Main Challenges:
- Ageing farmer population and low generational renewal.
- Declining profitability and dependency on subsidies.
- Major losses caused by wolverine predation are creating emotional frustration and conflicts around compensation payments.
LOCAL CONFLICT ASSOCIATED WITH LARGE CARNIVORES
Number of attacks:
Livestock predation in the area is high. Between 2006 and 2024, over 17,000 sheep were lost and compensated for in the two municipalities, averaging 913 annually. Losses have increased slightly in recent years, driven by an increase in Skjåk municipality (from an annual total of 259 to 459 between 2021 and 2024), while losses in Lesja have remained stable at 650 annually. No cattle depredation has been reported.
The majority of sheep losses were attributed to wolverines, accounting for 92% of losses between 2006 and 2024. Minor losses were recorded by wolves (2.8%), bears (2.6%), golden eagles (2.1%) and lynx (0.3%).
In more recent years (2021–2024), losses to wolverines became even more prevalent, accounting for over 98% of all losses. No losses were recorded from bears or wolves, and only three cases were recorded from lynx. Losses from golden eagles have remained stable at 1.8%. Golden eagles lack a designated carnivore zone.
Social conflict:
The level of conflict between farmers and carnivore management is high, largely due to wolverine populations exceeding regional targets (for example, six litters annually versus a target of four in recent years) and insufficient compensation for substantial sheep losses.
It is particularly difficult to confirm carnivore attacks, as livestock graze freely and largely unattended during the summer months. Wolverines and golden eagles often drag, dismember or bury carcasses.
Various lethal and non-lethal preventive measures have been attempted to reduce conflict, including licensed hunting, guard dogs, herders and financial compensation for losses. However, many people consider these measures to be inadequate or ineffective.
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