US Department of Agriculture Grants Special Approval for Reindeer Flying Overhead Pulling Sleds on Christmas

USDA "Official Issuance of Import and Flight Permits"
"Reindeer Successfully Passed Health Checkups"

On Christmas Eve, the importation and aerial flight of reindeer, including Rudolph who carries Santa Claus, have been specially approved by the U.S. government. U.S. authorities announced the Christmas season by stating, "Reindeer are free to move anywhere within the United States from the 24th to the 25th."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on the 22nd (local time) in a statement that "the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), under its jurisdiction, issued import and transportation permits for reindeer to Mr. S. Nicholas Claus, a resident of the North Pole, and the distributor 'Gifts and Good Cheer, Inc.' the day before."

The USDA explained, "To protect the health of livestock in the United States, APHIS regulates the import and transportation of deer species, including actual reindeer," and added, "Only individuals confirmed to be healthy can be imported into the United States."

Jenny Lester Moffitt, USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, said, "We have issued special permits to ensure the smooth movement of Mr. Claus and his reindeer, who bring great joy every Christmas," and added, "We warmly welcome Mr. Claus."

She also stated, "The reindeer pulling the sleigh will be free to enter, exit, and move anywhere within the United States for 12 hours from 6 p.m. on the 24th to 6 a.m. on the 25th (local time)," adding, "Milk and cookies made in the U.S. will be a great source of energy for Santa Claus during his busy schedule."

Conveying Santa Claus's words that "Gifts and Good Cheer, Inc. has taken all possible preventive measures to block potential pests and disease introduction," she added that he expressed great gratitude for USDA's cooperation.

Dr. Rosemary Sifford, USDA Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO), also reported, "The reindeer all safely passed APHIS health inspections conducted prior to the issuance of the permits."

Although Rudolph, one of the reindeer, had a "minor physical abnormality" noted on his health certificate, APHIS added, "While Rudolph's red nose shines very brightly, it is normal and not a cause for concern."

Meanwhile, it was recently revealed that the reason for the red nose of reindeer is due to an increased density of capillaries inside the nasal cavity.

According to the scientific community on the 22nd, a joint research team from the University of Tromsø in Norway near the Arctic and Erasmus University in the Netherlands confirmed that the microvascular density inside the nasal cavity of Arctic reindeer is 25% higher than that of humans.

They published these research results in the international academic journal BMJ (British Medical Journal), stating, "The legendary glowing red nose of Rudolph, the flying reindeer pulling Santa Claus's sleigh in extreme temperatures, serves to protect against freezing."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.