Chester Zoo In England Welcomes One Of The World’s Rarest Deer

In a heartening development for conservationists, Chester Zoo in England welcomed a Philippine spotted deer fawn, one of the rarest animals globally, born in September.

Weighing 4.4 pounds at birth, the adorable fawn, now standing 12 inches tall, recently took its first steps outdoors in the zoo's new enclosure. And the parents, Nova and Cosmos, are actively involved in the care of their precious offspring.

This birth is a significant achievement for the special breeding program aimed at supporting the conservation of the highly endangered Philippine spotted deer. The collaboration between zoos in Europe, initiated at the request of the Philippine government, strives to ensure the species' future survival.

The newly born Philippine spotted deer at Chester Zoo has been named Hercules, inspired by the constellation of stars.

Emma Evison, team manager at the zoo, said, “After eagerly waiting 240 days for his arrival, it was a huge relief when we saw a little bundle of fur curled up next to mom Nova one morning."

“She’s a great mom and has been doing everything perfectly so far—feeding him every few hours and keeping him right by her side." Zookeepers are thrilled with Nova's excellent mothering skills.

The tradition of naming newborn deer with a 'space' theme aligns with the significance of this birth for the species' conservation. “We have a team tradition of naming newborn deer within the theme of 'space' and, given the importance of our new arrival to his species, we decided to name him Hercules, after the constellation of stars," they said.

Philippine spotted deer are incredibly rare, and their decline has, for the most part, flown under the radar. Only a few hundred now remain in the wild. Like Hercules, plays a crucial role in bolstering the safety-net population in conservation zoos across Europe.

Stuart Young, the regional field program manager, highlighted the challenges faced by these deer.

"Philippine spotted deer have already disappeared across many parts of the Visayan Islands, where they were once found roaming in large herds. Hunting and deforestation have led to the animals now only being found on two small islands, the islands of Panay and Negros."

However, conservation efforts, including the reintroduction of 32 deer to a protected reserve in 2020, have shown positive results, nearly doubling the population in the wild.

Hercules, with his significant role in the zoo's breeding program, is expected to contribute to the survival and growth of this rare species. As he continues to grow, Hercules carries the weight of conservation on his spotted back, symbolizing hope for the future of the Philippine spotted deer.