The UK’s only male European forest reindeer has returned to the Highlands after spending two years at Whipsnade Zoo.
Solen, who was born at Highland Wildlife Park in 2020, arrived back at the park following a stay at Whipsnade Zoo.
Now five years old, Solen will live alongside females Freya and Lumi as part of a carefully managed conservation programme.
Keepers at the wildlife conservation charity hope the trio will eventually breed, helping to boost numbers of the vulnerable European forest reindeer.
The species is currently classed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with habitat loss and climate pressures contributing to population decline across its natural range.
Solen moved to Whipsnade in 2022 after reaching natural dispersal age, a standard practice within managed conservation herds.
Following the death of his father Sven in 2025, Solen will now become the dominant male within Highland Wildlife Park’s reindeer group.
The park is now home to Solen, five, Freya, nine, and Lumi, four, marking an important step in the long term management of the species in the UK.
Visitors can see the European forest reindeer in Wolf Wood at Highland Wildlife Park, offering a rare opportunity to view the species anywhere in the country.
Book online and save at highlandwildlifepark.org.uk/tickets
Highland Wildlife Park is operated by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, which also runs Edinburgh Zoo.
The conservation charity works to protect threatened species through breeding programmes, conservation science, education and public engagement.
The park was named Scotland’s Best Visitor Attraction 2025 at the Scottish Thistle Awards, recognising its role in conservation and visitor experience.
