The head of an animal welfare charity has urged people to boycott Kent Christmas attractions that feature reindeer.
Andrew Tyler, the director of Tonbridge-based Animal Aid, said wild, sensitive creatures like the deer, which originate from places like Norway and Greenland, should not be “objects of entertainment”.
His comments came after research found that reindeer imported into the UK were dying prematurely due to stress caused by living in captivity away from their natural environment and vulnerability to diseases and parasite carried by British farm animals.
“The evidence is very clear – these animals do not belong here,” Mr Tyler said. “They belong roaming the tundra, eating fresh lichen with other reindeer, not in Kent for commercial purposes.
“It is very stressful to have people come and stare at you, the whole crowd situation and it is turning them into objects of entertainment.”
Dr Aiden Foster, who carried out the investigation at the Veterinary Laboratories Agency, said there had been a significant increase in the number of reindeer carcases submitted to the agency’s regional labs.
Kent on Sunday asked the county’s top Christmas attractions, Lapland UK at Bewl Water and Santa’s Magical Kingdom at the Hop Farm in Paddock Wood about the health and welfare of their reindeer.
Both of the attractions said that the reindeer they use have been bred in the UK and Dr Foster’s findings did not apply to them.
However, Mr Tyler said: “We always hear when people are put on the spot that their circumstances are different and acceptable, but the whole phenomenon is unacceptable and they should not be encouraging this unhealthy and abusive trend.”
The Hop Farm, which has a herd of six reindeer that live in a large outdoor enclosure at the site, said that it had experience no deaths or illness among the animals, which have been kept there for about four years.
Lapland UK said its reindeer were supplied by The Reindeer Centre in nearby Bethersden. A spokeswoman said the attraction was confident that the local breeder took good care of its animals.
Asked if the attractions were right to differentiate reindeer bred in this country and those that have been newly imported, he said: “No, they are still reindeer, they still have natural instincts – they have not become different creatures. These excuses are always offered.”
Dr Foster said: “They are not like other livestock. It is very difficult to keep these animals here. They are semi wild and vulnerable to the diseases and parasites carried by British farm animals.”
Mr Tyler said people concerned with animal welfare should avoid attractions that use reindeer, he said: “Boycott these establishments and write to them to tell them why.”
He added: “It is supposed to be a time of peace and goodwill but animals suffer grievously throughout Christmas.
“Everyone piles their plate higher with even meat, there are Christmas circuses with animals and this is another example of animal exploitation.
“Especially wild, sensitive creatures like reindeer, they should not be objects of entertainment it is very stressful.
“The evidence that Dr Aiden Foster has produced indicates what we already know if animal and people get stressed physically or mentally they suffer from physical or mental breakdown.”
POSTED: 22/11/2009 14:00:00
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