PORTLAND – Mysteries of the elusive flying reindeer will be revealed when Oregon Zoo Director (and flying-reindeer expert) Tony Vecchio plans to share his many reindeer theories with children at the Oregon Zoo on Monday, Dec. 24, in a program titled “The Mystery of Flying Reindeer.”

Vecchio has studied flying reindeer for more than a decade and hopes to gather new data this month during the elusive creatures’ annual journey. He is asking children around the world to report their sightings by visiting (http://www.oregonzoo.org/Animals/flying_reindeer/flying_reindeer.htm) and clicking on the Flying Reindeer Report Center.

“The science of reindeer flight continues to evolve as new data pours in every Dec. 24, during their once-a-year migration,” said Vecchio. “I’m asking anyone who sees flying reindeer to e-mail me with details, such as where they saw the reindeer, what time it was and how high they were in the sky.”

All reported sightings will be documented on a map located on the zoo’s website. Visitors can watch a video of Vecchio discussing his theories while feeding the flying reindeer’s cousin, the Roosevelt elk, at (http://www.oregonzoo.org/VideoArchive/FlyingReindeer.htm).

The zoo’s mission is to inspire the community to create a better future for wildlife. Committed to conservation, the zoo is currently working to save endangered California condors,Washington pygmy rabbits, Oregon silverspot butterflies, western pond turtles and Kincaid’s lupine. Other projects include studies on black rhinos, Asian elephants, polar bears and bats.