We purchased our reindeer from Steve Swinnerton, at Reindeer Lodge in the Midlands, who has over 20 years experience working with reindeer. We attended a course at Reindeer Lodge to learn all about keeping and handling reindeer before making the decision to purchase our own. Steve works with many of the Sami Reindeer Herders in Sweden and Finland. In Finland and Sweden these beautiful animals are in constant threat from diminishing habitat, avalanches, worm infestation and a huge variety of predators - wolves, lynx, bear, wolverins and golden eagles amongst many other predators including man. Over there they are killed for their skins and for food. Due to the diminishing numbers Steve is now being sent true blood lines of reindeer in order to protect these animals from the effects of diminishing numbers. Statistically we believe that their lifespan here is significantly higher than those in the wild.