Two of Santa Claus’ reindeer have wandered from the North Pole to the Topeka Zoo.
The zoo welcomed Yeti, a 3-year-aged reindeer, on Monday morning. Everest, a almost 1-year-outdated reindeer, will get there Tuesday.
The reindeer will keep on being at the zoo by means of the getaway period and will be out there for viewing throughout Topeka Zoo’s Zoo Lights and through the day. Yeti and Everest will keep on being at the zoo by Dec. 26.
“Reindeer are seriously special animals,” said Brendan Wiley, Topeka Zoo’s zoo director. “They are one of the only animals wholly included by hair, even their nose. They do have antlers, not horns.”
The reindeers’ arrival comes just days in advance of Zoo Lights starts. The holiday encounter immerses guests in Christmas as they stroll below twinkling lights, partake in festive routines and satisfy Santa.
Zoo Lights runs Nov. 19 through Dec. 26 and tickets can be obtained online now for $7-$10. Standard hours for the expertise are 5-9 p.m. Sunday by way of Thursday and 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Holiday break hours are 5-10 p.m. Dec. 19-24, 6-10 p.m. Thanksgiving Working day and 6-10 p.m. on Xmas.
Individuals who prevent to take a look at Yeti and Everest, who are located across from the entrance to the Holiday Village and close to the Kansas Carnivores exhibit, will have the likelihood to participate in a distinctive encounter.
The reindeer are welcoming as they curiously walk in close proximity to the fence line getting in the sights and faces passing by.
“They really are one particular of the species that was first domesticated, so we are speaking hundreds and countless numbers of several years back,” Wiley stated. “So they are applied to having that human connection. …Yeti is an individual that has a whole lot of identity, a good deal of character.”
Reindeer, frequently regarded as caribou, have dense fur allowing for for them to remain heat in severe climates. They are also buoyant, producing them superior swimmers.
“Not only are they going to make it exciting through the holiday season here and add to that Zoo Lights knowledge, there’s also a ton of special variations and characteristics that this species has that we will get to share with the community,” Wiley mentioned.
The course of action of caring for reindeer, Wiley reported, is very similar to that of other Topeka Zoo animals. Reindeers’ diets consist of hay and grains.
“They will do pretty nicely here as we get started to get colder right here in Kansas,” Wiley said.
Wiley mentioned zoo guests so significantly have expressed a optimistic reaction to the reindeer.
“1 point about reindeer is they just make persons smile. They are so connected with that holiday break spirit, that getaway cheer that people today are not able to assist but wander by and smile,” Wiley reported.
Brianna Childers is the foodstuff and enjoyable reporter for the Capital-Journal. Access her at bchilders@cjonline.com. Comply with her on Twitter @brichilders3.
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