SAN DIEGO ZOO BABY REINDEER TO BE WEANED ON CHRISTMAS DAY

SAN DIEGO ZOO BABY REINDEER TO BE WEANED ON CHRISTMAS DAY

Three-Month-Old Reindeer Named Boris Drinks from Bottle and Walks on Harness

     Although there are jokes all around the San Diego Zoo that Boris the baby reindeer may go missing Christmas Eve, keepers are fully expecting to wean the reindeer from his bottle Christmas Day. But, then again, lots about Boris has been surprising, especially the fact he was born in an exhibit that was exclusively female before he showed up. (A female reindeer was unexpectedly pregnant when she arrived at the Zoo in May.)

     “It has been so much fun watching Boris grow up here at the San Diego Zoo,” said Tammy Batson, a San Diego Zoo lead keeper. “When he was born he was all legs, but now he’s even getting antlers!”

     The San Diego Zoo is open 365 days a year and guests who wants to watch the reindeer go through this phase of his maturity can stop by the Zoo’s Polar Rim on Christmas Day. The Zoo is currently celebrating Jungle Bells, its holiday event.  Jungle Bells features animal-themed light displays, a handbell choir, and special treats for animals – and guests – throughout the Zoo. There are new light shows and live shows including the Jumpin’ Jammin’ Elves, who use a trampoline to launch themselves into the air where they twist and flip to holiday tunes.  During the celebration, which runs through Jan. 2, 2011, grounds will stay open until 8 p.m., three hours past the usual closing time, except on Dec. 24.

     Boris was born on Sept. 18 while on exhibit. He was about 8 pounds at birth. Unfortunately, he was too weak to stand and nurse and he grew cold. Boris was taken off exhibit the next day when it became apparent he wasn’t going to nurse.  When he was put back after a few days, his mother was not attentive to him, so the animal care staff continued feeding him with a bottle.

    Boris now weighs about 75 pounds. He eats hay and an alfalfa-based pellet and grazes on the grasses, acacia and other plants in his exhibit. Boris lives with four female reindeer and is part of the herd. He loves to play in the pool in his exhibit.  Both female and male reindeer grow antlers. Reindeer typically live 15 to 20 years.