New Orleans,
30
June
2017
|
10:06 AM
America/Chicago

Audubon Zoo Welcomes Newborn Barasingha Deer

First birth for the family of ‘’swamp deer’’

Click Here to Download Raw Video File 

  • Barasingha Fawn
    The small Barasingha deer herd that debuted last year in the Asian Domain exhibit at Audubon Zoo recently got a special delivery: An as-yet-unnamed male fawn that was born June 9.
  • Barasingha Fawn
    The small Barasingha deer herd that debuted last year in the Asian Domain exhibit at Audubon Zoo recently got a special delivery: An as-yet-unnamed male fawn that was born June 9.
  • Barasingha Fawn
    The small Barasingha deer herd that debuted last year in the Asian Domain exhibit at Audubon Zoo recently got a special delivery: An as-yet-unnamed male fawn that was born June 9.
  • Barasingha Fawn
    The small Barasingha deer herd that debuted last year in the Asian Domain exhibit at Audubon Zoo recently got a special delivery: An as-yet-unnamed male fawn that was born June 9.
  • Barasingha Fawn
    The small Barasingha deer herd that debuted last year in the Asian Domain exhibit at Audubon Zoo recently got a special delivery: An as-yet-unnamed male fawn that was born June 9.
  • Barashinga Fawn
    The small Barasingha deer herd that debuted last year in the Asian Domain exhibit at Audubon Zoo recently got a special delivery: An as-yet-unnamed male fawn that was born June 9.
  • Barashinga Fawn
    The small Barasingha deer herd that debuted last year in the Asian Domain exhibit at Audubon Zoo recently got a special delivery: An as-yet-unnamed male fawn that was born June 9.
  • Barasingha Fawn
    The small Barasingha deer herd that debuted last year in the Asian Domain exhibit at Audubon Zoo recently got a special delivery: An as-yet-unnamed male fawn that was born June 9.
  • Barasingha Fawn
    The small Barasingha deer herd that debuted last year in the Asian Domain exhibit at Audubon Zoo recently got a special delivery: An as-yet-unnamed male fawn that was born June 9.
  • Barasingha Fawn
    The small Barasingha deer herd that debuted last year in the Asian Domain exhibit at Audubon Zoo recently got a special delivery: An as-yet-unnamed male fawn that was born June 9.
  • Barasingha Fawn
    The small Barasingha deer herd that debuted last year in the Asian Domain exhibit at Audubon Zoo recently got a special delivery: An as-yet-unnamed male fawn that was born June 9.
  • Barasingha Fawn
    The small Barasingha deer herd that debuted last year in the Asian Domain exhibit at Audubon Zoo recently got a special delivery: An as-yet-unnamed male fawn that was born June 9.
  • Barasingha Fawn
    The small Barasingha deer herd that debuted last year in the Asian Domain exhibit at Audubon Zoo recently got a special delivery: An as-yet-unnamed male fawn that was born June 9.
  • Barasingha Fawn
    The small Barasingha deer herd that debuted last year in the Asian Domain exhibit at Audubon Zoo recently got a special delivery: An as-yet-unnamed male fawn that was born June 9.
  • Barasingha Fawn
    The small Barasingha deer herd that debuted last year in the Asian Domain exhibit at Audubon Zoo recently got a special delivery: An as-yet-unnamed male fawn that was born June 9.
  • Barasingha Fawn
    The small Barasingha deer herd that debuted last year in the Asian Domain exhibit at Audubon Zoo recently got a special delivery: An as-yet-unnamed male fawn that was born June 9.

The small Barasingha deer herd that debuted last year in Asian Domain at Audubon Zoo recently got a special delivery: a male fawn that was born June 9.

This is the first birth for the family of so-called ‘’swamp deer,’’ and brings Audubon’s Barasingha population to two males and four females.

“He is periodically very active and guests are able to watch him explore his surroundings and interact with the other deer," said Mandy Turnbull, Asia Domain Assistant Curator. "However, he still spends most of his day quietly curled up in different patches of vegetation around the yard.’’

Turnbull said the fawn’s spotted coat acts as camouflage and makes him almost impossible to see from more than a couple of feet away. This coloring and behavior is a natural defense against predators which, in their native India and Nepal, includes tigers.

Barasingha are a medium-sized deer found in India and Nepal. The name means "12-tined," a reference to the fork-like, sharp points of an adult male’s antlers.

The species currently is listed as vulnerable on the list of threatened species because the estimated population in the wild stands at less than 6,000. Loss of habitat - even within protected areas - along with poaching for antlers and hide are considered the major threats facing Barasingha.

The Barasingha at Audubon Zoo are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) population. The goal of the SSP is to create a genetically sustainable zoo population through cooperative breeding programs.

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Deer Press Release

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Audubon Nature Institute operates a family of museums, parks and research facilities dedicated to celebrating the wonders of nature. Through innovative live animal exhibits, education programs, and scientific discovery, Audubon makes a meaningful contribution to preserving wildlife for the future. Audubon Nature Institute flagships include Audubon Park, Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Entergy Giant Screen Theater, Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium, Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center, Woldenberg Riverfront Park and Audubon Wilderness Park. Ron Forman is President and CEO of Audubon Nature Institute.