Charlestown Square - Newcastle are exploiting this poor deer in the guise of some Christmas celebration. Spare a thought for the unnatural, threatening environment this 'reindeer' is forced to endure used as a four-legged cash machine by Charlestown Square. 

Please take the time to tell this shopping centre that animal exploitation is not entertainment and that you will choose to shop elsewhere while they profit from this unnecessary animal exploitation.

https://www.charlestownsquare.com.au/centre-info/contact-us

"The idea of eight reindeer, led by Rudolph, pulling Santa’s sleigh is fairly modern, although the connection between Christmas and reindeer goes way back to the fourth century to Nikolaos of Myra, the Saint that Father Christmas is thought to be based on. Sinterklaas, a legendary Dutch figure, came a little later and according to folk tales he rode a white horse over rooftops and carried a big, red book which had a list of children’s names and detailed whether they has been good or bad.

The link between reindeer and Christmas is so strong that reindeer are not, typically, animals that we pause to consider throughout the year. However, reindeer, like many other species, are highly exploited for their meat, blood and, sadly, as Christmas entertainment. Reindeer populations are rapidly declining and yet the demand to ‘rent’ them for Christmas events, cull them for their meat and harvest them for their blood is increasing year on year.

Reindeer meat has traditionally been eaten by many including Norwegian, North American and Siberian indigenous populations. However, reindeer meat is also growing in popularity in the UK, especially at Christmas markets in reindeer burgers and as an unusual, new, ‘festive’ meat. A few years ago the supermarket Lidl launched reindeer carpaccio as well as reindeer steaks for consumers looking for something a little different for their party guests.

As a result of increased demand for reindeer products, the farming of these beautiful animals has increased. In 2014, the cervid livestock industry (which encompasses elk, reindeer and deer) was one of the fastest growing industries in rural America. This means even more animals kept in captivity. Even more animals being slaughtered for needless consumption.
This is also having a knock on impact on other wildlife such as wolves and bears, natural predators of reindeer, which are being shot to protect the reindeer, which are now considered a prime commodity."

https://www.veganlifemag.com/reindeer-exploitation/