World's Smallest Deer Species Born At Queens Zoo
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Oh deer.
The world's smallest deer species, a southern pudu fawn, was born at the Wildlife Conservation Society's Queens Zoo on April 29.
The female fawn weighed one pound at birth, and could reach 20 pounds as an adult.
The young deer is still nursing but will soon transition to a diet of fresh leaves, grain, kale, carrots and hay, according to zoo officials.
Although small in stature, pudu are excellent jumpers and sprinters. They also bark when they sense danger.
Southern pudu are native to Chile and Argentina and are designated Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
The Queens Zoo breeds pudu as part of a cooperative breeding program designed to enhance the genetic viability and demographic stability of animal populations in zoos.
The Queens Zoo is located at 53-51 111th Street in Flushing Meadow's Corona Park. For more information, call 718-271-1500 or visit www.queenszoo.com.
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