A reindeer was spotted running down a busy 5 Freeway in San Fernando, Cali. Caltrans crews helped to corral it.
No injuries were reported, so Rudolph should be good to go for Christmas Eve.
🦌INYIM Insight — Could It Have Been a Native Antlered Species?
Absolutely. Southern California is home to native deer species that could be mistaken for a reindeer at freeway‑speed:
- Mule Deer — the most common deer in the LA region; long ears, light brown coat, and antlers that fork as they grow.
- Southern Mule Deer (local subspecies) — frequently seen in the foothills around the San Fernando Valley, Griffith Park, and the Angeles National Forest.
- Young Bucks can have small or mid‑sized antlers that, in motion, might look “reindeer‑ish” to drivers.
- Seasonal movement increases sightings — winter pushes deer lower into urban edges, especially near freeways.
- Reindeer are not native to California; any real reindeer sighting would almost always be an escapee from a ranch, event, or holiday display.
- Caltrans crews often respond to loose deer on freeways — but a reindeer call would be one of the rarest.
What’s the wildest thing you’ve ever seen on the 5? Drop your freeway folklore below.
