SANTA: Santa and the reindeer have been cleared for take-off.
Gov. Tom Wolf, joined by Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding and Pennsylvania State Veterinarian Dr. Kevin Brightbill, met Santa and his nine reindeer at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane Thursday to announce that the reindeer have received a clean bill of health and are cleared for take-off.
“I’m excited to announce that Santa’s reindeer are in good health – despite one’s very bright red nose–and ready to deliver toys to the good girls and boys of Pennsylvania,” said Wolf. “I’m grateful to the Department of Agriculture for coordinating to ensure not only a merry Christmas morning across the commonwealth but keep animals in Pennsylvania safe and healthy. All nine reindeer are physically fit and in good spirits, they’re ready to fly this holiday season.”
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph received clearance to fly to Pennsylvania from Dr. Robert F. Gerlach. This Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and Permit to Ship certifies them to fly from rooftop to rooftop across the commonwealth for the purpose of toy delivery on Christmas Eve.
“Thanks to Dr. Brightbill and his counterpart in Alaska, we can certify Santa’s reindeer are healthy and can safely fly across state lines,” said Redding. “Veterinary health inspections are a great preventative measure to ensure animals are healthy and able to travel. We greatly appreciate Santa taking these necessary steps to promote the wellbeing of his reindeer.”
Santa has entrusted Hersheypark Christmas Candylane to care for his reindeer for the past 25 years. The ZooAmerica team takes special care of Santa’s reindeer during the holiday season, providing the reindeer a healthy diet, exercise and a spacious barn to call home until their return to the North Pole.
