A picture supplied to Metro.co.uk of the distressed reindeer banging its head against its pen

Distressed reindeer at the world famous Celtic Manor resort were removed after being forced to work 16 hour days which led them to attack each other.

The reindeer were part of the Welsh resort’s Christmas Kingdom and children were encouraged to touch them which led to their fur and antlers being pulled.

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A concerned worker at the resort called the RSCPA after their warnings about the animal’s welfare were ignored by bosses.

The worker, who does not want to be named in case they lose their job, told Metro.co.uk: ‘It was disgusting and so sad to see the state of these poor reindeer.




‘They were obviously distressed and were on show from 8am until midnight, children were pulling their antlers and fur and they became so upset they began attacking one another.’

How Celtic Manor Resort advertises its reindeer experience (Picture: Celtic Manor)

They added: ‘They started fighting and there was no animal handler there to stop it.

‘I had to do my best to stop it by waving my hands at the one attacking whilst holding onto the one being attacked.

‘They were walking back and forth in high distress and they were in a bad emotional and mental state. They are in a pen for weeks on end and never let out, no walks nothing- never with no animal handler there to look after them.

‘There had been three but one had been injured by another so two had to do all of the work.’

The RSPCA confirmed officers had visited the golf resort, which has hosted the Ryder Cup, and demanded the reindeer be removed.

Celtic Manor resort has hosted a Ryder Cup and a NATO summit (Picture: PA)

A spokesman said: ”Having received calls about the welfare of reindeer at an exhibition based at the Celtic Manor Resort, RSPCA Cymru worked closely with Newport County Council, who had also received a call from a concerned member of the public.

‘An officer from their trading standards team visited the Resort to check on the conditions in which the reindeer were being kept.

He added: ‘The Newport City Council officer inspected the area and advised staff it was not suitable. As a result of the visit the reindeer have now been returned to their home in Kent.

‘At this special time of year, we understand that seeing a ‘real’ reindeer can add to the magic of the festive season. However, reindeer require lots of specialist care, are not easy to look after properly, and are susceptible to stress and a host of health and welfare problems if not kept in the right conditions.

‘We are now working to explore, with the owners, how the long-term welfare of these animals will be met, as we make enquiries about the management and care of this reindeer herd.’

The reindeers at Celtic Manor have been removed after the RSPCA visited

A poster outside the reindeer pen encouraged children to tickle the animals.

The poster stated: ‘They are friendly, and if they come over to you then you can touch and stroke them, they are a little ticklish on their backs.’



A Celtic Manor spokesman told Metro.co.uk: ‘After taking advice from Newport City Council, the Celtic Manor Resort has decided to remove the reindeer from its Christmas Kingdom experience.

‘The resort has always taken great care to meet the upkeep and welfare needs of these animals and we have worked closely with our accredited reindeer provider to establish a comfortable environment for the reindeer in our care.

‘Changes to the infrastructure of other parts of Christmas Kingdom have had an unforeseen impact on this year’s reindeer enclosure so, in consultation with Newport City Council, we have decided it is in the best interests of the reindeer to remove them entirely from the Christmas Kingdom and return them to their owner.’

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