Deer-lightful! Rare baby deer born in Poznań zoo
A rare Visayan spotted sambar deer, one of the most endangered in the world, has been born in Poznań Zoo.
Arriving on Monday evening, hidden cameras show the delightful baby deer taking its first steps as it follows its proud mum as she paces around their enclosure.
The calf is then seen snuggling up as its mother lovingly cleans it with her tongue.
The calf is then seen snuggling up as she lovingly cleans it with her tongue.
Posting on its Facebook page, the zoo said: “We have news for you. Yesterday morning a sambar was born.
“The calf is very energetic and is drinking milk.”
The zoo’s social media has now been flooded with congratulations from adoring fans.
The spotted sambar is an endangered species, naturally from the Philippine Islands of Negros and Panay, where its population is estimated to be around 700.
One posted: “It's great that these rare animals are slowly multiplying.”
Another wrote: “How sad that we constantly learn that a species is threatened with extinction. It's good that there are places where you can't let that happen. Thanks for your efforts and may the little one live many years!”
While yet another said simply: “May the beautiful baby stay healthy for 100 years.”
The newborn, whose sex is still unknown, is the fifth of its kind living in the zoo where staff say there is currently one male, two females and another calf.
The newborn, whose sex is still unknown, is the fifth of its kind living in the zoo where staff say there is currently one male, two females and another calf.
The spotted sambar is an endangered species, naturally from the Philippine Islands of Negros and Panay, where its population is estimated to be around 700.
The species is also bred in 29 zoos and reserves in the world with a breeding population of 139, but in 2020 only 30 were born.
It is currently considered one of the rarest mammals in the world with only 5 percent of its original population still alive.
Previously known as Prince Alfred’s deer, the Visayan spotted deer is one of three endemic deer species in the Philippines, although it was not recognized as a separate species until 1983.
Today its population is critically decreasing due to deforestation and hunting.
It is currently considered one of the rarest mammals in the world with only 5 percent of its original population still alive.
