Fawns born in Benidorm
Birth of three baby chital deer at Terra Natura's nature park
TERRA Natura nature park in Benidorm has welcomed the birth of three baby chital deer (Axis axis), two males and one female, as confirmed by the park's veterinary team after carrying out a examination of the fawns.
With these latest births, the herd of this species exceeds 30 specimens.
At birth, the fawns weighed approximately 2.5 kilos and measured around 30 centimetres. Chital populations in the wild are in a good state of conservation. After giving birth the mothers usually leave the new-borns hidden in grassy areas, while keeping a watchful eye on them. They constantly approach to suckle and feed them.
These fawns were born a week apart and began to follow their mothers around the pen after a few days. They have become stronger, suckling on demand, and began to integrate into the general herd. The check-up carried out on the fawns consisted of assessing the state of the navel to see if it had healed well, and de-worming them. They were also injected with a vitamin complex and identified with an obligatory ear tag.
Unlike the European deer, which reproduces in autumn, in the case of chital deer their oestrus is not seasonally defined, as they reproduce throughout the year. This reproductive characteristic is beneficial in maintaining population levels. However, in very cold regions, winter births occur and the new-borns withstand extreme conditions, which enables them to develop an exceptional resistance to these climates.
The mottled brownish-coloured fur of the chital is used to conceal them when they go deep into the vegetation. This camouflage, similar to polka dots, resembles the shadow cast by the sun when it slips through the leaves of trees, which makes the animal almost undetectable.