The Detroit Zoo's Must-see List of Baby Animals - a Male Pudu, the World's Smallest Deer

By Patricia Janeway

Royal Oak, MI - The Detroit Zoo’s must-see list of baby animals has grown by one with the August 24 birth of a male pudu, the world’s smallest species of deer.

The baby’s mother arrived from another zoo in February as a mate for the Detroit Zoo’s lone male. The two were paired at the recommendation of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Population Management Plan (PMP) for pudus. The PMP is a cooperative management plan to ensure genetically healthy, diverse and self-sustaining populations of threatened and endangered species.

The fawn is a welcome addition to the captive population of pudus as there are only 28 in U.S. zoos. “Pudus aren’t very common in nature or in zoos and this baby helps us represent one of the lesser-known animals in our world,” said Scott Carter, Director of Conservation and Animal Welfare.

Native to the forests of South America, the pudu (Pudu puda) can reach a height of 15 inches and weigh 18-30 pounds at maturity. The tiny deer is distinguished by its reddish-brown fur and diminutive features, including rounded ears, small black eyes and short legs.

The Detroit Zoo’s pudus can be seen in their habitat across from the anteaters and tapirs.

The Detroit Zoological Society is a non-profit organization that operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Zoo. Situated on 125 acres of naturalistic exhibits, the Detroit Zoo is located at the intersection of Ten Mile Road and Woodward Avenue, just off I-696, in Royal Oak. The Detroit Zoo is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April through Labor Day (with extended hours until 8 p.m. Wednesdays during July and August), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. the day after Labor Day through October and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through March. Admission is $11 for adults 15 to 61, $9 for senior citizens 62 and older, and $7 for children ages 2 to 14; children under 2 are free. For more information, call (248) 541-5717 or visit www.detroitzoo.org. The Belle Isle Nature Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round and provides educational programming with interpretive staff support from the Huron-Clinton Metroparks. Admission is free. For more information, call (313) 852-4056.

To view Detroit Zoo's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to:  http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-472-Detroit_Zoo