Royal Marines join search for runaway reindeer which fled festive celebration

Christmas is saved thanks to the Royal Marines, who took part in the rescue of a runaway reindeer on Merseyside on Saturday afternoon.

While on exercise at Altcar Training Camp, the Marines were roped in to help tranquilise and secure the animal, which had fled Santa's Enchanted Forest in Formby several hours earlier.

The search and rescue operation also involved the Coastguard, Merseyside Police, the Southport Lifeboat team, and a vet from Wiltshire.

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Emergency services used thermal binoculars, a drone and quad bikes to monitor and shepherd the reindeer into sand dunes close to Altcar rifle range. 

The Marines then supported the vet in sedating the animal before it was transported back to its owners in Wales.

A spokesperson for Southport Lifeboat described the evening's events as "bizarre", adding: "It's quite topical for the time of year, isn't it?"

This is not the first time the Marines have found themselves face to face with Santa's little helpers. In 2024, members of 45 Commando were caught in a reindeer traffic jam while taking part in Exercise Nordic Response in Norway.