Columbus Zoo annouces popular reindeer Sugar Plum euthanized, addition of two new reindeer

Shahid Meighan, Columbus Dispatch
Sugar Plum, a reindeer at the Columbus Zoo for more than 11 years, had to be euthanized because zoo officials say she suffered from degenerative joint disease.
Sugar Plum, a reindeer at the Columbus Zoo for more than 11 years, had to be euthanized because zoo officials say she suffered from degenerative joint disease.

Less than two weeks before Christmas, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium announced on Thursday it had to euthanize popular longtime reindeer Sugar Plum due to degenerative disease and had received two new reindeer.

Sugar Plum, a female reindeer who was a "cherished ambassador" for more than 11 years, suffered from degenerative joint disease that was affecting her mobility, the zoo said in an announcement on their Facebook page.

The zoo said Sugar Plum, whom it described as "the boss of all of us" and a "true leader," regularly underwent special treatments, including chiropractic treatments and physical therapy.

"Despite the amazing care provided by her team and after quality-of-life assessments were conducted, the difficult decision was made for her to be humanely euthanized. As you can imagine, this is a tough time for her care team who loved her dearly," the zoo said.

At the same time, the zoo announced it had received two new reindeer over a month ago.

Figgy Pudding and Candy Cane, both seven-month-old reindeer, can now be seen in the reindeer habitat at the zoo. The zoo's care team has been working with the Alaskan-born duo during their quarantine period "to build trust and help prepare them for the move into their larger habitat," the zoo said in its announcement.

Two new reindeer, Figgy Pudding and Candy Cane, who are seven months old and were born in Alaska, can now be seen in the reindeer habitat at the Columbus Zoo.
Two new reindeer, Figgy Pudding and Candy Cane, who are seven months old and were born in Alaska, can now be seen in the reindeer habitat at the Columbus Zoo.

The zoo said visitors may notice burlap hung on the perimeter fence of the reindeer exhibit, which was done to help the two new reindeer acclimate into their new space. The zoo said it will have professionals on site to offer additional support and to answer any questions visitors may have.

Reindeer, also known as caribou, are members of the deer family and were the first animals to arrive at the Columbus Zoo when it opened in 1927. Their population has been on a steady decline, but not to the level of any protection concern, according to the zoo.

The largest reindeer populations tend to be found in Alaska and in Canada's Yukon and Northwestern Territories.

smeighan@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Zoo reindeer Sugar Plum euthanized, two new reindeer added

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