Following on from a blog I recently wrote all about Cheer, I thought I’d write another blog about another white-faced reindeer born in 2012 – Merida!
I first met Merida in May 2017 when she was five years old. It was my very first week as a reindeer herder and I have a very strong memory of sitting in the hill enclosure with Sally who was showing me the ropes. Two cows and calves were in a smaller part of the enclosure and we were spending time observing how they were getting on – what a tough job! Merida and her new born calf were there, and whilst Merida herself was fairly uninterested in us, her calf came right up to me and starting nuzzling my shoe laces. It was instant love! This tiny reindeer calf grew into the mighty Dr Seuss, who everyone knows is the best reindeer ever. As the ‘mother of the greatest’ I am also very fond of Merida, so this blog is full of photos of her.
Merida has a very distinctive hourglass pattern on her face and therefore one of the first reindeer I learnt to identify. She is friendly around people and enjoys hand feeding. She has been an excellent mother over the years and has three surviving sons – Dr Seuss, Ärta and Mr Whippy.
Merida and her newborn calf – who later was named Dr Seuss. This was around the time I first met them both.
I left the Reindeer Centre in March 2018 for another opportunity, but missed the herd (and my colleagues!) too much so returned to herding in March 2021. Most of these pics are therefore of Merida, and her offspring, over the last 5 years or so.
2021
Catching up with Merida whilst she’s out free ranging in the hills. With no calf at foot in 2021 she was able to put more energy into herself and grow lovely big antlers.Merida looking beautiful with her beard blowing in the breeze in October 2021. Camembert is the reindeer in the background.Spartan doing his best to woo Merida. She looks a bit unsure but it must’ve worked as the following spring Merida had a male calf.
2022
Dr Seuss and his mum in early January 2022, hanging out together – both waiting in line for the hand feed.A heavily pregnant reindeer in April 2022. Her new antler is just beginning to grow. Merida and newborn calf in May 2022. We later named him Mr Whippy! You can see the antler that had a head start (see above photo) is taller than the other.Merida and her calf the day they were released out on to the free range for the summer.Torch & mum Magnum and Mr Whippy & mum Merida in September 2022 after coming back into the hill enclosure.
2023
Merida and Mr Whippy back out free ranging in the hills in January 2023.Merida enjoying herself on the free range in early August. She looks a bit scruffy as she’s moulting the final bits of her old winter coat. She’s grown another set of cracking antlers!Merida on the end of the feed line in October 2023 with a lovely rainbow behind.
2024
Merida in February 2024 with her epic antlers!In May 2024 Merida had a new male calf. When Merida grunted for her new calf, her 7 year old son Dr Seuss would come running over!Merida and new calf with older son Dr Seuss (mid-moult with a sunburnt nose). Dr Seuss was often by his mum’s side for the few weeks they all overlapped in the hill enclosure. Very sadly Merida’s calf picked up a tick-bourne illness in August and despite receiving medication and all our best efforts he sadly didn’t survive.Ärta in October 2024 – Merida’s son born in 2020. I can’t resist including this photo – he looks so magestic! Whilst Merida has never had a female calf, son Ärta has been bred from so her line continues.Merida in October 2024 with rather silly antlers. Merida invested so much energy into her calf that her own antlers were a rather poor show this year.
2025
Merida in March 2025 – just beginning to grow her antlers. Her old winter coat is quite faded so harder to see the distinctive hourglass pattern on her face.Merida in August 2025 looking great in her short summer coat. She’s now retired from breeding so will spend most of her days free ranging in the hills and enjoying life!
2026
Cameron’s photo of Merida enjoying free ranging in February 2026. She’s in a big herd which includes her three sons – Dr Seuss, Ärta and Mr Whippy.
