Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland, United Kingdom, has introduced the world to its newest and tiniest resident: a two-week-old Southern pudu fawn.
This adorable addition is the second smallest deer in the world and was born to first-time parents Violetta and Evan. The female fawn, named Gia by the zookeepers, is thriving under their care.
Photo: Edinburgh Zoo on X
A Tiny Wonder
Native to the forests of Chile and Argentina, pudu deer are the smallest members of the deer family. The Southern pudu, the larger of the two pudu species, stands only about 17.7 inches (45 cm) tall when fully grown.
Despite their tiny size, adult Southern pudus have a stocky build and small antlers that curve back, giving them a somewhat goat-like appearance.
Gia weighed just around 1.2 pounds (630 g) at birth, making her comparable in size to a loaf of bread. This makes her one of the tiniest animals at the zoo.
Gia’s parents, Violetta and Evan, are first-time parents. The zoo staff at Edinburgh Zoo, managed by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, are keeping a close watch on the newborn to ensure she remains healthy and safe.
Visitors to the zoo will have to wait a few weeks before seeing Gia in person. She will likely make her public debut in July under the careful supervision of her mother, Violetta.
