ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) – A beloved reindeer named Star is currently battling serious health issues after a recent incident involving tampering with his pen. The iconic animal, who is well known in Anchorage for his appearances in parades and on reality TV shows, has developed pneumonia, severe digestion problems, and rapid weight loss. Star's owner, Albert Whitehead, is deeply concerned and has taken him to a veterinarian twice a week in search of answers regarding his declining health.
Star is an 8-year-old reindeer residing in a fenced pen attached to Whitehead's home in downtown Anchorage. Over the past seventy years, several reindeer have shared the name Star, with this version being the seventh. Unfortunately, this year marks the first time in over two decades that someone has actively tampered with the enclosure. In early January, an intruder cut a sizable hole in the fence, spending approximately five minutes inside with Star before fleeing. Shortly after this breach, Star exhibited signs of digestive distress and began losing weight.
On February 20, Anchorage police located Star wandering alone in downtown and returned him home. Upon reviewing security footage, Whitehead discovered that the individual had used bolt cutters to remove the padlocks securing Star's pen and an alley gate. Notably, Star followed the intruder into the neighborhood, which he is familiar with as it is the same area where Whitehead regularly walks him.
Things escalated the following evening when Whitehead noticed suspicious activity via his video feed. A man, who had previously accessed Star's pen, was seen spraying something from two cans and twice striking the reindeer in the face with an unidentified substance. Whitehead rushed outside to confront the man, demanding to know what he was doing. The man claimed he was "trying to help Star," though Whitehead remains perplexed about the meaning behind that statement. Based on the odors observed, Whitehead suspects the sprays might have been some type of disinfectant or deodorizer.
Both Whitehead and the police believe that the same individual was involved in the prior incident, but it remains unclear if he was responsible for both instances of tampering. Whitehead expressed his belief that while the intruder may not have intended to harm Star, his actions had unintended negative consequences.
Following these developments, Star's condition worsened. The symptoms of pneumonia intensified, and Whitehead fears that Star may have ingested something harmful while he was loose. Veterinarian Sabrieta Holland indicated that the pneumonia may stem from Star inhaling contents from the largest of the reindeer's four stomachs due to chronic reflux or regurgitation, a situation that might have been exacerbated by the substances sprayed on him.
There is also the possibility of an obstruction in Star’s digestive system, although Holland noted that the large size of a reindeer's stomach typically makes blockages rare. However, she pointed out that ingested foreign objects, such as plastic bags, are common culprits in causing chronic weight loss and digestive issues among reindeer. The prospect of surgery is on the table, but Holland cautioned that the outcome can be poor even for otherwise healthy animals.
The connection between Whitehead and Star is described as "quite significant and precious," with Holland noting that Star is a crucial part of Whitehead's daily life, providing motivation for outdoor activities and companionship. The emotional toll on Whitehead would be devastating should he lose Star.
The tradition of reindeer in Anchorage dates back to the 1950s when pioneers Oro and Ivan Stewart brought reindeer from an Alaska Native herder. In 2002, Whitehead became the caretaker of Star after taking over from his friends. In light of the significant bond shared between the two, the community is keeping a close eye on Star's health as Whitehead continues to seek answers and support for his beloved companion.
