Call for ban on use of live reindeer at Christmas celebrations
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Should reindeer be banned from pulling Santa through the Highlands?
The extraordinary suggestion came this week from 11 different animal welfare charities in an open letter to 225 organisations, asking them to cease the use of live reindeer in their Christmas celebrations.
The open letter was also sent to local authorities across the UK to ask that they review their policy on the use of reindeer in events.
Animal welfare charities, OneKind, Animal Aid, Born Free and Freedom for Animals are leading the campaign to end live reindeer displays across the UK.
OneKind Campaigner, Eve Massie Bishop said: “Reindeer used in Christmas events across the UK are likely to be suffering from psychological distress and in a state of poor welfare. We simply cannot justify the suffering of these animals for our entertainment.
“We would urge people not to visit any events that exploit these animals for entertainment and instead celebrate the festivities at animal-friendly events. As the report highlights, reindeer are sentient beings with complex needs. They are not Christmas props."
But Tilly Smith, co-director of the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre, near Aviemore, said: "Reindeer are referred to in the letter as a wild animal, which become stressed when in close contact with people. This shows a complete misunderstanding of reindeer. On the contrary, reindeer were one of the first species to be domesticated, and as the indigenous people of the Arctic still live by their animals, they have developed a unique relationship with people.
"In a similar way to how a dog will seek out human company, our reindeer are comfortable around people, choosing to spend time with us and coming to a call, even when roaming completely free on the mountains.
"At home in the Cairngorms, thousands of people come to meet our herd in their natural habitat each year, where the reindeer freely choose to mingle and interact.
"As a result of domestication, reindeer are docile and placid animals, they travel well and are at ease with the events they do. Taking a well trained and habituated reindeer, in the company of other members of the herd, into a town is no different to taking a pet dog into the same situation."
