Whipsnade reindeer give Santa a helping hand
Wednesday 20 December 2006
Rudolf might be Santa’s first choice of reindeer but even he needs some help to pull that heavy load. Enter Tundra! Whipsnade’s very own champion sleigh-puller has volunteered to help on Christmas Eve.
Tundra the 14-year-old male reindeer, who is one of seven in the herd at Whipsnade, will be meeting Santa for a one-off Christmas briefing at the park. As a special treat Tundra will also get his own present of some tasty holly to munch so that his fit and well for his journey delivering presents around the world.
In the end, Tundra the reindeer’s antlers fell off. He was mightily disappointed that he would be overlooked by Santa, but the great man promised to let him pull the sleigh for Christmas Eve. Whipsnade team leader Robbie Hutton explained that male reindeers’ antlers do fall off at this time of year when they are in breeding season, but they will grow a new set and it does not hurt!
Throughout the Christmas holidays and weekends in December, younger visitors can enjoy being a Keeper’s Little Helper. There’s a chance to make gifts for our primates in the activity den, which has been turned into a beautiful winter wonderland. See the website for more details.
