A Tiny South American Deer Makes Its Debut at the Queens Zoo

The southern pudu, one of the world’s smallest deer species, is now on display at the Queens Zoo in New York City.

The southern pudu fawn, born on June 21, weighed just 2 pounds (just under 1 kilo) at birth. It is expected to weigh 15 to 20 pounds (7 to 9 kilograms) in adulthood, about as much as a watermelon.

The southern pudu is native to Chile and Argentina, where its population is decreasing due to factors including development and invasive species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the southern pudu as near threatened.

The Queens Zoo breeds southern pudus in collaboration with other zoos in an effort to maintain genetically diverse populations. Eight pudu fawns have been born at the Queens Zoo since 2005.

The newborn fawn will share a habitat with its parents. There are two more pudus at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Prospect Park Zoo in Brooklyn.

Here are some additional facts about the southern pudu:

• The southern pudu is the smallest species of deer in South America.
• The southern pudu has a thick, reddish-brown coat that helps it camouflage in the dense forests of its native habitat.
• The southern pudu is a shy and elusive animal that is rarely seen by humans.
• The southern pudu is a herbivore that feeds on leaves, twigs, and fruits.
• The southern pudu has a gestation period of about 200 days, and it gives birth to a single fawn.

The southern pudu is a fascinating and unique animal that is now on display at the Queens Zoo. Visitors to the zoo can learn more about this amazing creature and its conservation status.