Little Sheila takes a bow
New deer gets a name
A new deer born at Blair Drummond Safari Park has been named Sheila.
Queenie was being considered for the fawn, since she was born on Her Majesty’s birthday.
But in the end, staff decided to name the new arrival after Sheila Walker, the zoo park’s animal collection manager.
Sheila is in charge of bringing the animals in and out for the breeding programmes, so the new Père David’s deer has been christened in her honour.
The Père David’s deer are one of the rarest species held at the popular family attraction.
Normally seen in the drive- through section; the new female came into the world right next to the exit gate to the delight of a few visitors who stopped their cars to watch. Unfortunately, these deer are now extinct in the wild, which is why the arrival of the faun is particularly important.
Education officer Dave Warren explained: “Père David’s deer are native to China, where they are known as milu.
“Their Western name comes from the work of a French missionary who worked in China in the 1800s, Father (‘Père’) Armand David.
“Père David became fascinated by a collection of the deer owned by the Emperor of China and managed to convince him to let some specimens be sent back to Europe.
“Shortly afterwards, due to extensive hunting and catastrophic flooding, the wild population in China was all but wiped out.
“But due to Père David’s actions, they have bred successfully in captivity across Europe since the late 1800s.
“We are thrilled to be the latest place where they have done so, playing our part in ensuring they don’t face complete extinction.”
Congratulations to the winner of our competition to win a family season pass worth £170 to Blair Drummond Safari Park - Mrs Jean Buchanan, of Leckie Road, Gargunnock.
We’re giving away a family pass to the park every week, worth more than £50.
To win correctly answer this question: Which country did Père David come from?
Send your answer, along with your name, address and telephone number to Blair Drummond Competition, The Stirling Observer, 34 Upper Craigs, Stirling FK8 2DW.
Entries must be in by Monday. A winner will be chosen at random and announced in next week’s paper.