Reindeer prepare for the festive season at Dudley Zoo
A herd of reindeer at Dudley Zoo are eagerly awaiting a visit from Father Christmas this week.
The group of eight girls have been enjoying trips to the castle with keepers as they familiarise themselves with the route from the reindeer paddock to the cobbled courtyard ahead of their all-important festive duties.
The cute creatures have been getting used to wearing their harnesses to prepare them before they meet the excited youngsters that visit Santa's winter wonderland grotto in the castle throughout December.
Ellis Robinson, keeper, said: "We start retraining around September and most weeks, before the zoo opens to the public, we walk a small group of reindeer up to the castle so they're comfortable with the route and harnesses.
"They're always so eager to go and they get really excited to get on the grass in the courtyard.
"They always prove popular with Christmas visitors and of course they'll need to be safely harnessed and ready for their all-important sleigh-pulling duties on Christmas Eve."
