Winter Wonderland 

By Katherine Morten

It is that time of year again where the frost covers the leaves, coating the city in crystal. Not snow of course because when do we actually get snow in London at Christmas time. Anyway, this is the time when Oxford Street and Hyde Park are ten times busier than usual, not just due to Christmas shopping, but this time marks the arrival of Winter Wonderland. I have not been to the extravaganza that is Winter Wonderland since I was 10 years old when the fair was just one street long with a few little rides. I thought I would have to go along and see what all the fuss is about, and check out what the reindeers are up to before the ‘big night’.

It is safe to say Winter Wonderland is not what it used to be when I was 10, it has grown drastically in size. All that know me, know that I am a Christmas fanatic, therefore it was like a kid in a candy shop, and the place was like Disney Land but for Christmas. As unbelievably overpriced everything is, you can go along just for the atmosphere, which costs nothing, and you will still have fun.

My friend and I, decided to brave the cold and spend the day and night there. After an hour or two of trying to scout out every inch of the place, we came across 9 lovely reindeer. I am assuming of course Rudolph, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen. There were two keepers looking after them that day. We were lucky enough to talk to one of the called Jamie, who was happy to talk us through his experiences, looking after reindeers. He is the primary carer for the animals and said wherever they go he follows. (Is he Santa? I am just putting it out there)

“Some people have cats, some people have dogs, and I have reindeer.”

He has cared for reindeers for most of his life but these in particular the last 3 years. He said work like this is down to passion, “animals deserve to be treated with care and respect, especially these majestic creatures.”

On my visit to London Zoo I was concerned about some of the animals dealing with the cold weather who are used to hotter climates, but it is the opposite for Reindeer, the cold is their comfort zone.

“After Winter wonderland they are taken back to their farm, but have a temporary pen built nearby. In the summer though we have a ‘Cool House’ on the farm. This is set to a good temperature so they can escape the warm weather.”

Although the weather in England is never overly warm, we do get the odd summer heatwave, which we Brits clearly are not prepared for, not like the reindeer with their ‘Cool House’.

“It is their favourite vacation, they escape in their when the pen is too hot.”

A fact I also learnt was Reindeer do not like flies, another reason they go to escape the hot weather. The keepers were kind enough to let us feed the reindeer some stereotypical carrots and feed before we had to say goodbye. They needed their beauty sleep for Christmas Eve.