New arrivals for reindeer lodge
A reindeer lodge has celebrated the safe arrival of new additions to its herd.
Blithbury Reindeer Lodge, near Rugeley, has welcomed 11 new additions as calving season arrived.
One mother, Tia, gave birth to a male calf in the last week of April, which caught the lodge's experienced handlers by surprise.
This was closely followed by Honey who gave birth on May 1.
Other expectant mothers have also given birth and the lodge has announced six male and five female calves have all been safely delivered – with no assistance required from our experienced team.
The team worked hard to ensure all the calves are fed and cared for by their mothers during the crucial first few days and are constantly monitoring their progress.
Lodge officials said there may be a few more arrivals in the coming days but reindeer pregnancy is difficult to confirm.
A lodge spokesman said: "Spring is a very busy time in the reindeer year – their bodies go through lots of changes.
"Most of the herd have now lost their antlers and they are in the process of growing new ones.
"The reindeer have nearly all lost their winter coats and while they are growing their nice summer coats they really don’t look their best."
The new arrivals of 2017 join a herd of over 150 reindeer which roam the lodge's 30-acre site in the Staffordshire countryside.
The herd, which is the largest working herd of reindeer in England, will grow further over the next month.
The public has the opportunity to meet new calves at the lodge's annual 'come and meet the babies' event which will be held on June 10.
For more information visit blithhburyreindeerlodge.co.uk
