NEED TO KNOW
- A reindeer named Buddy recently escaped from the Santa’s Enchanted Forest event in Merseyside, England
- The missing animal, which was later found, sparked a large search operation involving a police drone and armed officers
- “Christmas has been saved,” the Maritime and Coastguard Agency wrote, alongside photos of the runaway reindeer
A reindeer made a festive escape from a Christmas celebration.
The animal, named Buddy, recently dashed away from the Santa’s Enchanted Forest event in Merseyside, England, leading to a large search operation involving a police drone and armed officers.
“Oh deer! 🦌,” the Maritime and Coastguard Agency wrote on Instagram on Dec. 1. “Crosby and Southport Coastguard Rescue Teams, alongside Southport Offshore Rescue Trust, were called in to assist Merseyside Police due to fears that Buddy may enter the water.”
Southport Offshore Rescue Trust
Photos shared by the agency show Buddy prancing away in the daylight, as well as Buddy seemingly caught like a deer in headlights at night.
Another photo shared by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency shows someone in a reflective jacket using a flashlight during the search.
The search was short-lived, as Buddy was apprehended hours later.
“Luckily, he was discovered later that night on the dunes of Formby Beach,” the Maritime and Coastguard Agency explained, adding that a police drone and armed officers monitored Buddy once found.
Southport Offshore Rescue Trust
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The agency continued, “A vet was able to administer sedatives to Buddy so he could be safely recovered and taken home.”
“Christmas has been saved! 🎄🛷🎅,” they concluded, using festive emojis.
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