The latest big thing at
the Detroit Zoo is actually quite small. A
female Southern Pudu, the smallest species of deer, was born on May 20^th.
The fawn is the fifth Pudu born at the zoo since the species was introduced in
2008. 

The fawn is a welcome addition to the captive
population of Pudus, according to Detroit Zoological Society Curator of Mammals
Robert Lessnau. “There are less than thirty Pudus in U.S. zoos, so this birth
is significant, especially since the baby is a female.” 

The fawn joins her parents, 6-year-old Carol and
7-year-old T. Roy, and sister Hamill Girl – born in 2012 – in their habitat
near two other South American mammals, the giant anteaters and bush dogs. 

Photo credits: first photo by Lee Fisher, second photo by Patti Truesdell

Found in the temperate rainforests of southern
Chile and Argentina, the Southern Pudu can reach a height of 18 inches at the
shoulder and weigh up to 25 pounds at maturity.  The tiny deer has reddish-brown
fur and diminutive features, including rounded ears, small black eyes and short legs. Fawns are weaned at two months old, and reach their full adult size at three months old. The Southern Pudu is listed as ‘threatened’
on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. A decrease in available habitat, subsistence hunting and poaching for the exotic pet trade contribute to their decline. Additional factors include predation by domestic
dogs and competition with non-native species of deer.