First big step for Bristol Zoo's eight-inch fawn called Newt

A month-old fawn called Newt — a southern pudu, the world’s smallest deer species — has taken its first steps at Bristol Zoo. It is 8in tall and weighed 2.2lb at birth. It is the product of an international conservation breeding programme and the first pudu born in captivity in Britain for four years.



Its keeper, Caroline Brown, said: “Our new arrival is still very shy and is staying close to his mum and dad. He is still suckling, but is growing very well.” Pudu are native to Chile and Argentina. Their numbers have fallen because of deforestation and they are now an endangered species.