What no Rudolph? Santa and his elves swap sleigh for parachute as they drop in to mark Christmas countdown
Add to My Stories Share
It was a blessing for all concerned that it was a still day in Hampshire when Father Christmas decided to eschew his normal mode of transport and jump out of a plane into Marwell Wildlife Park.
Had there been more than the baby's breath of a breeze in the air, the big man and his elves could have ended up in nearby Birdworld.
Instead, an intrepid Santa made a peaceful descent from a light aircraft, dropping steadily into the African Valley of Marwell, where his arrival was eagerly awaited by a group of starry eyed children, a giraffe and a band of meerkats.
What sleigh? Santa made an early appearance at Hampshire's Marwell zoo this week as he parachuted in to launch the Christmas grotto
Safety Claus: A well-harnessed Santa landed in the zoo's African Valley, along with four brave elves
A conscientious member of the meerkatfamily was the first to spot Santa as he descended, his red ermine-trimmed suit cutting a dramatic line through the overcast autumnal sky, with a plume of festive red smoke billowing behind him.
Hot on his heels came his merry elves, clad in full green felt complete with pointy toed boots.
The festive guests were an unexpected sight in the English countryside - but for the amazed children stood in the Hampshire field gazing skywards, it was as if Christmas had come early.
As for the meerkats, they had their eye on Father Christmas's finest appendage.
'Our meerkats were really impressed to see Santa so early,' one of the meerkats was reported to have said.
'And Chico the meerkat (whom you can follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/chicothemeerkat) said it was the first time his six week old pups have seen Santa.
'They were very excited and quite like the look of his beard for bedding.'
Santa's little helper: A Land Rover appears to ferry Santa and the elves to their grotto
Father Christmas and his team made their appearance for the launch of Marwell's festive spectacular, which opens in earnest on 25 November.
As part of the Christmas experience, a gingerbread express train will arrive to whisk guests to Marwell's 13th century enchanted hall, where an icy igloo entrance will provide the gateway to a magical ice palace.
Inside, guests will gather in Mrs Claus' cosy library for sessions of storytelling and gingerbread decoration, before heading into Santa's Grotto, where Mrs Claus, a team of elves and the big man himself will meet and greet children - and, of course, give each lucky visitor a gift.
Mark Selwood, events manager at Marwell said: 'Everyone is looking forward to Christmas at Marwell.
'Our elves are busily preparing for the big event,! transfo rming Marwell's historic hall into a wonderful icepalace, weighing chocolates and preparing gingerbread.
'Our technical elves are online everyday taking bookings and tickets are selling fast - so book now to avoid disappointment!'
You don't see many of these in Lapland! Santa and his elves get up close and personal with Marwell's giraffe
Startled: The meerkats at Marwell were stunned to see the jolly red chap parachuting in to the African Valley
WATCH SANTA PARACHUTING IN TO MARWELL ZOO HERE:
It was a blessing for all concerned that it was a still day in Hampshire when Father Christmas decided to eschew his normal mode of transport and jump out of a plane into Marwell Wildlife Park.
Had there been more than the baby's breath of a breeze in the air, the big man and his elves could have ended up in nearby Birdworld.
Instead, an intrepid Santa made a peaceful descent from a light aircraft, dropping steadily into the African Valley of Marwell, where his arrival was eagerly awaited by a group of starry eyed children, a giraffe and a band of meerkats.
What sleigh? Santa made an early appearance at Hampshire's Marwell zoo this week as he parachuted in to launch the Christmas grotto
Safety Claus: A well-harnessed Santa landed in the zoo's African Valley, along with four brave elves
A conscientious member of the meerkatfamily was the first to spot Santa as he descended, his red ermine-trimmed suit cutting a dramatic line through the overcast autumnal sky, with a plume of festive red smoke billowing behind him.
Hot on his heels came his merry elves, clad in full green felt complete with pointy toed boots.
The festive guests were an unexpected sight in the English countryside - but for the amazed children stood in the Hampshire field gazing skywards, it was as if Christmas had come early.
More...
'Our meerkats were really impressed to see Santa so early,' one of the meerkats was reported to have said.
'And Chico the meerkat (whom you can follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/chicothemeerkat) said it was the first time his six week old pups have seen Santa.
'They were very excited and quite like the look of his beard for bedding.'
Santa's little helper: A Land Rover appears to ferry Santa and the elves to their grotto
Father Christmas and his team made their appearance for the launch of Marwell's festive spectacular, which opens in earnest on 25 November.
As part of the Christmas experience, a gingerbread express train will arrive to whisk guests to Marwell's 13th century enchanted hall, where an icy igloo entrance will provide the gateway to a magical ice palace.
Inside, guests will gather in Mrs Claus' cosy library for sessions of storytelling and gingerbread decoration, before heading into Santa's Grotto, where Mrs Claus, a team of elves and the big man himself will meet and greet children - and, of course, give each lucky visitor a gift.
Mark Selwood, events manager at Marwell said: 'Everyone is looking forward to Christmas at Marwell.
'Our elves are busily preparing for the big event,! transfo rming Marwell's historic hall into a wonderful icepalace, weighing chocolates and preparing gingerbread.
'Our technical elves are online everyday taking bookings and tickets are selling fast - so book now to avoid disappointment!'
Comments