Southern pudus are considered one of the smallest deer species in the world. They live in Chile’s forests – or in Cologne Zoo.
Cologne – The little one is as big as a stuffed animal, but alive and kicking: the Cologne Zoo is happy about the offspring of the southern pudus. The male cub of this deer species, which is one of the smallest on earth, was born on July 17th and is called “Alvess”.
The name comes from Latin America and means something like “brave young man,” said the zoo on Thursday. The small deer is genetically particularly valuable for the conservation breeding of this endangered species. The cub is already carefully exploring the outdoor area.
According to the zoo, adult southern pudus are only about half the size of a native deer and weigh between eight and twelve kilograms. The wild populations declined, among other things due to habitat destruction and hunting of the animals. Southern pudus live in forests in Chile. dpa
