Very Close Encounter with Reindeers in Alaska
By: Grazy Goat
Tags: Wildlife, Summer, Reindeer, Caribou, Alaska

Palmer Reindeer farm was one of our most favorite places in Alaska to interact with wildlife really close. We love animals and were happy about getting nose to nose with dozens of reindeer and feeding them from the palm.

Surprisingly, reindeer and caribou are the same animals. The only difference — caribou lives in a wild, by themselves; reindeer — with people.

Locals love Reindeer Farm as well: located close to Anchorage (the most populous city in Alaska) the farm is very friendly and has many programs for schoolchildren.

Reindeer farm is operated by a family. Caring, kind, and knowledgable, they are hard-working and passionate about the animals. Our guide told us many interesting stories I still remember.

One of my favorites is about Dolly the bison who looks shy and childish although weight near 1400 lb and 15 years old. She was unlucky to be born in November (usually calves are born in summer), mom couldn’t care about her and Dolly became abandoned in a wild, facing inevitable death.

Reindeer Farm decided to take her in, nursed from the bottle, and saved Dolly’s life. When she was big enough, she was introduced to her herd, but they didn’t accept her. From then she lives on a farm, farmers and reindeer became her family. (She did develop a friendly relationship with reindeers).

Pictures from the tour: not a tiny baby anymore, but still needs his mama for milk:

Reindeers smelled the food we brought for them instantly! To keep them from eating it immediately and be a little bit more patient, we were told a secret: keep arm with grains near/under armpits … to mask the smell :).

The teeth placement on the reindeer lower jaw makes it impossible to bite you while feeding on the palm. It doesn’t keep hands from saliva, but it was really good to know you can feed them without being bitten!

Rocky Mountain Elk: they aren’t friendly as reindeers, may bite and lick your head if you are blonde! They did it to our little one, while she was gathering grass for them. Elks mistake blonde hair with straw :).

Elks live up to 20 years in captivity, weight 500–700 lb.

We watched as farm dog was teasing elks. They are not friends. Without a fence, elk will make an attempt to kill the dog. For them, there is no difference between a dog or a wolf, they see it as a threat and attack without any warning.

Good to know

At the Reindeer Farm there are also picnic tables, farm animals like pigs and bunnies to pet.

At the time of our visit before the entrance of the reindeer pen were many rain boots to borrow if you don’t have one, like us.

The summer tour, the one this photo story is about, runs from May 1st till September 1st and 1 hour long. Summer is the most popular time among tourists, try to book a tour ahead.

Reindeer farm tour is wheelchair accessible tour. Admission: $15 for adult, $13 for kids 3–11 y.o., under 2 — free. A cup of feed for the reindeer is included in your admission. Check the schedules, prices, and hours before you go on a local website.

Gift shop and ticket booth:

Thanks for reading! We hope you enjoyed our virtual story about Alaska :).

Other cool things to explore nearby: Hatcher Pass, Independent Mine, Russian history in Alaska, and many more are here.

If you are planning a trip on the opposite, Southside of Anchorage, you can check scenic Seward Highway and mining for gold here.