During mid-1950s, foreign scientists alarmed. Numbers of lesser white-fronted geese in the wintering areas in Eastern Europe were steadily decreasing.
In 1980 it was established by Norwegian biologists that the species had also decrease dramatically in Norway. The total breeding population was estimated at less than 300 individuals.
Today the population is estimated at 15-20 breeding pairs. The population has been reduced with more than 99 % during the last 50 years.
Breeding lesser white-fronted geese was earlier a common sight in the mountain areas from Børgefjell in Nordland to East-Finnmark. Now only a few pairs remain in central Finnmark.
