Let The Games Begin: Reindeer Arrive At Oregon Zoo

Reindeer at the Oregon Zoo. © Oregon Zoo / photo by Michael Durham.

Zoo welcomes Cookie and Ginger, a pair of flightless but furry Siberian reindeer

 Let the reindeer games begin! Two furry reindeer arrived at the Oregon Zoo earlier this week, and are making themselves right at home.

For video of the pair, visit: bit.ly/tworeindeer

“Reindeer are amazing animals, and of course this is the perfect time of year to introduce them to our visitors,” said zoo director Dr. Don Moore, who has decades of experience working with the species. “Most people know about reindeer because of their connection to Santa Claus, which is a lot of fun, but we’re especially excited to share some lesser-known facts, like the way their hooves click when they walk.”
Another fun fact about reindeer? They’re the only species of deer where both males and females grow large antlers. Cookie and Ginger, the zoo’s two new reindeer arrivals, each sport a large set of antlers. Reindeer shed their antlers every year, with males shedding in early winter and females at the end of the season — which, Dr. Moore points out, would make Santa’s team of eight tiny, antlered reindeer all females.

“Reindeer are what’s known as a circumpolar species, which means they’re found throughout the world’s north in places like Greenland, Russia and Alaska,” Moore said. “While it doesn’t get nearly as cold in Oregon as it does in the arctic, winter is still a great season to see these deer out exploring.”

Like all reindeer, Cookie and Ginger are covered in two layers of hair from their nose to the bottom of their feet, for maximum insulation. Their undercoat is fine and soft for warmth, and their top layer of hair is hollow to hold in body heat. The air between the hair layers also keeps the reindeer buoyant in water, so they can swim across big rivers and lakes during migration. The pair is settling into their new habitat across from the Vollum Aviary, where guests can visit them through early January.

As part of the Metro family, the Oregon Zoo helps make greater Portland a great place to call home. Committed to conservation, the zoo is currently working to save endangered California condors, Oregon silverspot and Taylor’s checkerspot butterflies, western pond turtles and northern leopard frogs. Other projects focused on saving animals from extinction include studies on polar bears, orangutans and cheetahs.

Support from the Oregon Zoo Foundation enhances and expands the zoo’s efforts in conservation, education and animal welfare. Members, donors and corporate and foundation partners help the zoo make a difference across the region and around the world.

The zoo opens at 9:30 a.m. daily and is located five minutes from downtown Portland, just off Highway 26. The zoo is also accessible by MAX light rail line. Visitors who travel to the zoo via MAX receive $1.50 off zoo admission. Call TriMet Customer Service, 503-238-RIDE (7433), or visit trimet.org for fare and route information.

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