Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SANDY -- Reindeer are a major part of the Christmas tradition. But now, one Utah veterinarian is changing the way ranchers raise them.
He's come up with a way for them to produce more reindeer through artificial insemination.
Matt Shadle, the owner of M plus T Christmas Trees, Christmas tree lot in Sandy, also raises reindeer.
People searching for the perfect tree there not only get their choice in holiday cheer for the living room, they also get an up-close look at reindeer.
"The kids love the reindeer, and a lot of the adults love the reindeer," said Shadle."I like to see the looks on the people's faces, the big smiles. Touching a reindeer for the first time."
Females are very calm and tame, but the males - they are a whole different story.
About eighteen months ago, he approached veterinarian friend Isaac Bott, with a unique proposition. You see, Bott not only works on cats and dogs, he's also an animal reproductive specialist.
Shadle asked him if he could somehow artificially inseminate reindeer.
"It sounded like a challenge, and it was something that was very appealing to me," Bott said. "I'm aware of two or three male reindeer in Utah. What we're able to do, is find the biggest and best reindeer, and actually propagate those genes, and introduce them into populations where they are lacking."
With his unique background he made it work, so far producing four reindeer calves. One more is on the way.
Of course this leads to the question: Why do that to a reindeer? As it turns out, reindeer actually have a very short mating season, and the males can be very aggressive. They aren't always cooperative in doing their part.
Shadle knows that firsthand. He's tried things the conventional way before.
"When you've been attacked by a reindeer, it's not much fun. They outweigh you, and you feel a little bit helpless," Shadle said
He says with artificial insemination, raising deer is now safer and easier, which lets him carry on one more holiday tradition.
Bott says he, and the University of Alaska, are the only ones who have artificially inseminated reindeer. He says his program has been much more successful though, and it's getting him some worldwide attention. He says the technology may be used to help with other species as well.
Email: [manderson@ksl.com](<mailto: manderson@ksl.com>)
