Year: 2026
Grant: £1,505
Tayla Hammond
Animal Insights Research and Consulting, UK
Reindeer continue to be used in festive events across the UK, yet there is no clear scientific guidance on whether these environments meet their welfare needs. Reindeer are highly specialised Arctic animals with sensory and physiological adaptations that make them vulnerable to noise, lighting, heat, crowding and restricted movement. This desk-based project will produce a peer-reviewed Opinion Paper that brings together current research on sensory biology, behaviour and welfare to explain how typical event environments are likely to be experienced by reindeer.
This project will improve reindeer welfare by providing clear scientific explanation of why common festive environments can be challenging when viewed from a reindeer’s sensory and physiological perspective. Reindeer are adapted to quiet, cold, open landscapes; exposure to noise, light, heat, close crowds and limited agency can trigger vigilance, avoidance, freezing and disrupted rumination.
By synthesising current evidence into an accessible Opinion Paper, the project will help councils, licensing authorities and NGOs interpret observed behaviour more accurately and understand the mechanisms behind stress responses. The project delivers meaningful population-level benefit by supporting more informed decisions and reducing the likelihood that reindeer are placed in unsuitable environments.