Breeders in the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area are already reporting the birth of more than 100 reindeer calves, according to information from the local Department for Agriculture, Trade and Foodstuffs published on the area's website.

The biggest gains were at a ranch called Pripolyarnaya, with 60 new arrivals, more than 40 new reindeer calves at the company Muzhevskoye, and 20 at Yarsalinskoye, the report said.

The reindeer calving season usually begins en masse in Yamal towards the end of May and continues until the end of June. On average, ranchers gain about 100,000 calves a year. This year's figures are expected to remain similar to last year's, with 70 calves per 100 female reindeer.