Covid Christmas won’t save Rudolph

The COVID-19 lockdown has prevented many of the usual festive reindeer events from taking place this year, but this won’t stop them coming back next year. This campaign aims to raise awareness of the events still going ahead this year, and to put an end to those that may return in the future.

Freedom for Animal's Festive Events Campaigner, Rehana Jomeen, commented:

It's really important that we don't feel complacent this Christmas, simply because so many festive events using reindeer have been cancelled. The campaign is still as crucial as it ever was. These events will be back in full force next year using reindeer and other live animals. We can't consider this year a victory. It simply isn't.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH LIVE REINDEER DISPLAYS?

Reindeer are highly sensitive, unique, semi-wild animals who are adapted to the extreme climates of northern latitudes and, therefore, when imported to countries such as the UK, are expected to live in substantially different conditions to those in which they evolved.

Furthermore, when uprooted from their natural environment and dumped into a barren pen in a busy, bustling, noisy shopping centre, this undoubtedly causes the animals great levels of stress and can lead to health conditions, such as misshapen antlers, low fertility and high rates of calf mortality. Research by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency shows that these wonderful deer do suffer dramatically when placed in captivity.

The RSPCA has also strongly condemned the use of reindeer in Christmas events. Dr Ros Clubb, senior scientific manager at the RSPCA, said:

We understand that it must seem magical for people to see a reindeer at Christmas, but the reality is reindeer are not easy to keep well and need specialised care, they get stressed very easily and are very susceptible to many health and welfare problems.

The reality is reindeer aren't easy to keep well and need specialised care. They become stressed very easily - reindeer are not mere Christmas props.

RSPCA REINDEER REPORTS SPIKE OVER THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD

Some of the problems reported by specialist deer vets in UK reindeer include a lack of weight gain, weight loss, diarrhoea, poor muscle development, poor antler growth, malformed antlers, low fertility and high calf mortality.

Senior Scientific Manager in wildlife Dr Ros Clubb said:

As Christmas approaches, we and other animal welfare charities are really concerned that reindeer used in festive events across the country could be suffering in silence. Reindeer are kept here in the UK year-round but we always see a spike in concerned calls about them in the build-up to Christmas, which is when they're taken out to be on displays at festive events.

THE ISSUE OF BEING PREY ANIMALS

In the wild, they're prey animals so they naturally hide their illnesses.

Dr Ros Clubb commented:

we're concerned many owners may not realise their reindeer, which are attending stressful, busy festive events, are poorly or be able to spot the problems until it's too late.

The use of reindeer and all live animals in events must stop! Animals are not here for our entertainment. They have the right to a free life, just as we do.

FIND YOUR LOCAL REINDEER EVENT

TELL YOUR LOCAL EVENT TO STOP USING REINDEER

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Author: Maddy taylor

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