Buffalo Zoo Welcomes Baby Reindeer

The Buffalo Zoo is thrilled to announce the birth of a male Scandinavian reindeer just in time for Mother’s Day.

 The Buffalo Zoo’s newest addition was born on April 18, 2017, to mother Solara (6) and father Apollo (3). This is the first calf for parents Solara and Apollo; however, the Buffalo Zoo has had many reindeer births with over 100 since 1970, the last one being born in 2014. Keepers say that this calf is doing great. He is very curious and enjoys exploring the yard, but never strays too far from mom.

Mother reindeer usually give birth to a single calf. Unlike other deer species, baby Scandinavian reindeer don’t have spots. Newborns are able to stand just one hour after birth, and follow their mother at around five to seven hours old. When first born, a reindeer calf drinks its mother’s milk, and at one week old, it begins to add solid food to its diet. By two weeks, it will have doubled its birth weight.

As with other Zoo births in the past, the Buffalo Zoo will be holding a public naming contest. The Zoo’s keepers have picked four possible names and now the rest is up to the community. The four names are Pulsar, Yukon, Thor, or Max. The public can cast their vote on the Zoo’s social media pages or by clicking the link below. The name will be announced this Sunday, May 14 at 12:00 p.m., when the reindeer will also make his official public debut in the reindeer yard.

 

Vote Here