Conservation breeding success as Endangered spotted deer fawn is born at Bristol Zoo Project

An extremely rare spotted deer fawn has been born at Bristol Zoo Project, marking another important conservation milestone for this Endangered species.

The tiny fawn, which is a boy, was born in January to parents Eugene and Pandora, and keepers say it is healthy, alert, and feeding well. This is the pair’s second offspring, following the birth of Maliit last January.

At just a few weeks old, it already weighs 2.9kg and stands at around 30cm tall, roughly the weight of a bag of sugar and the height of a small desk lamp. Although small in size, it represents a significant step forward for a species that is under serious threat in the wild.

There are thought to be fewer than 700 Philippine spotted deer remaining in the wild, with populations declining due to habitat loss and illegal hunting. Eugene and Pandora arrived at Bristol Zoo Project in 2023 from Chester Zoo and Colchester Zoo, respectively, after being brought together as part of an international breeding programme for the species.

Sarah Gedman, Curator of Mammals at Bristol Zoo Project, said: “Any birth is special, but when it’s a species as threatened as the Philippine spotted deer, it’s especially meaningful.

“This is Eugene and Pandora’s second fawn, following the birth of Maliit last year, which is a really positive sign. They are experienced parents now, and the new arrival is doing brilliantly, staying close to mum, feeding well, but also zooming around the habitat. Older brother Maliit is proving to be a respectful older brother. As Maliit reaches maturity, he will have the opportunity to contribute to this crucial breeding programme at another zoo.

“This new fawn has an important role to play in the future of its species. In the Philippines, we’ve been working with local communities since 2014 to reduce illegal hunting and protect the remaining forests on Panay and Negros Islands. Every individual born under conservation care really matters.”

With so few Philippine spotted deer left in the wild, the zoo hopes the fawn’s arrival will inspire visitors to learn more about the species and support efforts to protect it.

This spring, visitors can also see hand-reared red panda cub Asha for the first time, after the keepers and vet teams had to step in and provide intensive care following the sudden loss of her mother, Laya. After months of dedicated care behind the scenes, the confident young cub is now exploring her new surroundings, climbing, playing, and displaying great curiosity as she continues her journey towards independence.

To find out more about Bristol Zoo Project and Bristol Zoological Society’s conservation work, visit www.bristolzoo.org.uk.