COVID-19 information and updates
Masks are required on the property.
Our Covid policy will be explained to everyone at the beginning of the tour, so everyone has a better understanding on where, when and why we require masking.
Shortly after Covid came out the Zoological Society made assessments of different animals and their theoretical susceptibility to Covid. Reindeer came out on the “Highly Susceptible “ list. We certainly had no idea what that meant or how it might manifest itself. What we have learned is the Covid is rampant amongst wild, free ranging white tail deer populations in some areas of the lower 48. A few months back we received notification that they now believe that white tail deer have passed it back to humans. We think this is a very serious situation. I have no access to vaccinations for my reindeer and there are no treatment protocols.
What we ask our guests to help us with to minimize the impact of Covid on our deer, staff, and guests is to keep a social distance and if not fully vaccinated, keep your mask on. Once our reindeer come out of the pen, there will be no way we can social distance so we ask everyone to consider the health of our deer, staff and guests and keep masked. The deer will be moving all around us, in and out in unpredictable fashions.
Our staff are all fully vaccinated. We will mask unless we are speaking. We believe that guests are able to better hear and understand us without a mask on.
We will stop at one point along the walk and make time for a formal photo with one of our reindeer. Guests are able to briefly remove their masks during that photo.
My husband and I have medical situations that make us very vulnerable to the effects of Covid, our business is reliant on having a healthy work force free of Covid and our concern over the health and safety of our reindeer and guests have made us feel this is the best option for us at this time.
I hope you have a better understanding of our situation and will respect our decision to place health and safety above all else right now.
Thanks for your understanding,
Jane
We’ve made some changes to our winter reindeer walks. See here.
COVID-19 information from the State of Alaska.
From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Reindeer, dolphins most at risk for COVID-19, study finds. What about other animals?
9/20/21