New York City’s Queens Zoo Welcomes South American Fawn
The New York – A South American fawn that weighs only as much as a watermelon when fully grown has made its debut at New York City’s Queens Zoo. The South Purdue fawn, born on June 21, weighed just 2 pounds (just under 1 kilogram) at birth. Managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society, the New York City Zoo announced this exciting news on Thursday, revealing that the expected adult weight of the fawn is 15 to 20 pounds (7 to 9 kilograms).
Endangered Species Conservation Efforts
The southern Fudu deer, which is native to Chile and Argentina, is one of the smallest deer species in the world and is listed as near-threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Unfortunately, its numbers are declining due to various factors such as development and invasive species. To combat this, the Queens Zoo collaborates with other zoos to breed Southern Shorthair cats, ensuring the genetic diversity of the population. Since 2005, the Queens Zoo has seen the birth of eight Fudu fawns.
Future Plans for the Newborn Fawn
The newborn fawn will reside in the Queen’s Zoo habitat alongside its parents. Additionally, two other Southern Shorthair cats can be found at the Conservancy’s Prospect Park Zoo in Brooklyn. The Queens Zoo and its partners continue to work tirelessly to protect and preserve endangered species for future generations.
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