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Santa Claus, Reindeer Cleared to Enter US Ahead of Christmas

Santa's reindeer have been issued a special permit by the US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to enter and exit the country on Christmas day.

TN Viral Desk

Updated Dec 22, 2023, 11:44 IST

An artist's impression of Santa Claus and his sleigh-pulling reindeer at night. | Canva Pro

Photo : iStock

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Santa Claus and his reindeer are cleared for entry and exit by the US Department of Agriculture ahead of Christmas.
Santa's reindeer, which underwent an APHIS health inspection, have been allowed a free passage between 24-25 December.
Santa is a legendary figure believed to distribute gifts to children on Christmas eve, on a flying sleigh.

Santa Claus and his reindeer have been cleared to enter and exit the United States ahead of Christmas, the US Department of Agriculture said on Thursday.

Its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued a transit permit to allow “Mr. S. Nicholas Claus of the North Pole, a distributor with Gifts and Good Cheer, Inc” free passage through the country between 6 pm December 24 and 6 am on December 25.

"USDA is delighted to grant Mr. Claus and his reindeer a special permit to enter the United States, ensuring a seamless journey for the joy they bring each holiday season," said Jenny Lester Moffitt, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs.

"We extend a warm welcome to Mr. Claus and recognise the vital role of US milk and cookies in fueling his festive flight."

Santa’s reindeer are a legendary group of nine flying reindeer that, according to folklore, pull Santa Claus’ sleigh through the night sky to help him deliver gifts to children on Christmas eve.

The original eight reindeer, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen were introduced by the 1823 poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas”, with Rudolph joining the all-female Christmas icons in 1939.

The idea of a ninth reindeer was popularised by the song ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ 10 years after it was first added to the group.

Although Rudolph has an unusually-coloured nose, he was cleared alongside other reindeer during a recent health inspection that found them “healthy and able to prance and paw with each hoof.”

APHIS regulates the movement of all animals entering the US to ensure its livestock remains healthy and uninfected by foreign diseases.

“USDA has confirmed that the reindeer will arrive pulling a wooden sleigh with jingling bells attached, filled with brightly wrapped gifts,” a press release stated.“Port personnel will clean and disinfect the runners and underside of the sleigh at the time of entry.”

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