From zoos to aquariums, worldwide Santas have been hanging out with everything from koalas to sea turtles.
This vacation season, people throughout the world dressed as Santa got here out in full force to mingle with animals, spreading Yuletide cheer (and treats) to a menagerie of friends, together with giraffes, cats, fish, and, of course, reindeer.
At the Australian Reptile Park, Santa recently dropped by to go to the zoo’s inhabitants, offering leaves to a koala named Elsa and giving a feeding bottle to Lizzie, a wombat. This daring Santa even milked a venomous snake and was quoted by the Associated Press as saying: “I love Australian animals so much! Australia has all sorts of various and harmful wildlife, I would have spent all day there however I have a lot left I want to complete earlier than Christmas!”
Across the world, in London, Santa stopped by the royal residence Clarence House and was joined by Camilla, queen consort, with Blixen the reindeer, greeting kids as a half of a children’s charity. Together they decorated a Christmas tree and handed out festive surprises, with Blixen being the star of the show.
Though he wears a heavy suit, diving is definitely not off-limits for Santa. Whether they’re in Thailand, South Africa, or Japan, a number of Santas throughout the world have been showing with all kinds of marine life, together with sharks and sea turtles, delighting aquarium attendees. Though diving Santa may appear far out, arguably the wildest Santa–related animal occasion of this previous year was the Santa Claus donkey race — yes, you learn that right! — which occurred on Dec. 18 for the second year in a row in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
