By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept

Need To Know

News, culture and entertainment you need to know

Font ResizerAa
  • U.K News
  • World
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Money
  • Travel
  • Fitness and health
  • Tech
  • Motors
  • Sports
  • More
Reading: Tiny vampire deer – weighing the same as can of Coke – hand-reared by zoo to fend off predators
Share
Font ResizerAa

Need To Know

News, culture and entertainment you need to know

  • U.K News
  • World
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Money
  • Travel
  • Fitness and health
  • Tech
  • Motors
  • Sports
  • More
Search
  • U.K News
  • World
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Money
  • Travel
  • Fitness and health
  • Tech
  • Motors
  • Sports
  • More
Follow US
Need To Know > News > Animals > Tiny vampire deer – weighing the same as can of Coke – hand-reared by zoo to fend off predators
AnimalsUK

Tiny vampire deer – weighing the same as can of Coke – hand-reared by zoo to fend off predators

Olive Loveridge-Greene
Last updated: June 21, 2023 12:53 pm
Olive Loveridge-Greene Published June 21, 2023
Share
SHARE

Four vampire deer are being hand-reared by keepers after being born at a zoo to protect them from predators.

The Chinese water deer measured just 12cm (4.7ins) at birth just a fortnight ago.

They weighed 400g (14oz) – the same as a can of Coke.

The vampire deer sipping on some milk in the sun (Credit: Jam Press)

Chinese water deer are sometimes known as vampire deer thanks to their set of sharp fangs.

Zookeepers have spent the last two weeks looking after them in a bid to stop them being picked off by birds of prey.

The small spotted fawns characteristically have giant ears to help them better hear approaching threats in the wild.

They are currently being cared for at Whipsnade Zoo, near Dunstable, Bedfordshire.

They weigh the same as a can of soft drink (Credit: Jam Press)

Keeper Gracie Gee said: “Even at their present weight of 800g large birds could still easily scoop them up, so we are hand-rearing the fawns in a sheltered, protected space at the zoo.

“We’ve been giving the little ones, who are all female, at least three feeds a day and they’ve already doubled in size since their births in early June.”

Once strong enough the deer will later be moved to their new home at London Zoo.

They are so tiny it’s feared birds will swoop down and snatch them (Credit: Jam Press)

The species are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of threatened species.

Populations in the wild continue to decline in the face of threats including habitat loss and hunting.

Some of their original populations are now extinct in mainland China.

READ MORE: Funeral home offers quirky coffin designs – including Greggs sausage roll

Do you have an amazing story to share? Come and talk to us [email protected]

You Might Also Like

Cave rescuers save elderly dog trapped 20ft underground

The annoying neighbour habits that could cost you £5K this summer

Vet reveals ‘prescription trap’ costing pet owners £200 a year in hidden fees

Nine-foot great white shark named Nori spotted lurking off busy beach coast

Girl, 13, shocked after being served whole GUINEA PIG with tiny festive hat

TAGGED:animalsZoo
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
What do you think?
Love0
Sad0
Happy0
Sleepy0
Angry0
Dead0
Wink0
Leave a comment Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow US

Find US on Social Medias
FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
TiktokFollow
Most read
Romanian boy Toma-Alexandru Zerestea, 5, found alive after nearly three days alone in bear-populated Carpathian forest, spotted by Black Hawk helicopter crew.
World

Young boy found alive in bear-populated forest after vanishing for three days

Lee Bullen Lee Bullen May 14, 2026
Speedway riders smash through barrier at high speed leaving one in coma
Promising footballer gunned down in shop shooting
Woman mysteriously missing for a month in Mallorca after belongings were stolen
Plus-size influencer Gracie Bon suffers embarrassing tumble on red carpet at glitzy premiere

Categories

  • Lifestyle
  • U.K News
  • World
  • Technology
  • Business
Quick Link
  • My Bookmark
  • Interests
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Write for us
  • Authors
  • Contact
Top Categories
  • Business
  • Environment
  • Lifestyle
  • Technology
  • Fitness and health
  • Property
  • Entertainment

Subscribe US

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

Read Next

A terrier buried alive in a rabbit warren for two days was dug to safety in East Yorkshire after her owners heard whimpering and spent 25 minutes frantically digging her free.
AnimalsNews

Dirt-covered dog rescued after being trapped underground for days

May 8, 2026
A young bull rider is fighting for his life after being trampled and dragged face-first through the sand at a traditional Mexican jaripeo event after becoming tangled in a rope.
World

Young rider left fighting for life after being trampled by bucking bull

May 8, 2026
Tourist banned from sacred Mount Emei in China for three years after filmed trying to shove protected Tibetan macaque monkey off cliff edge while it ate orange.
AnimalsNews

Tourist slammed for trying to push monkey off cliff before walking away while laughing

May 8, 2026
A Venezuelan influencer with nearly one million followers was bitten and struck in the face by an alligator after leaping from a boat to catch the reptile with his bare hands.
World

‘Tarzan influencer’ attacked by alligator – then blasted by animal rights activists

May 7, 2026
A mum bought her daughter an axolotl and quickly fell in love - ending up with 20 of the rare aquatic creatures and spending hundreds of pounds on her new addiction.
AnimalsNews

‘I bought my daughter an axolotl but now I’m the obsessed one and own 20’

May 6, 2026
More than 500 animals including cats, horses and dogs have been rescued from a California property where they were found malnourished, emaciated and suffering from untreated wounds and infections.
AnimalsNews

Over 500 animals rescued from horror ‘sanctuary’ in shocking condition

May 5, 2026
A temple elephant in India killed a lorry driver and injured its handler before going on a two-hour rampage, overturning cars and charging through streets before being tranquillised.
World

Elephant kills man before tossing cars and ramming scooters in horror rampage

May 5, 2026
A man was charged with animal cruelty after footage of a terrified dog cowering from him on Australia's Gold Coast went viral, sparking outrage and urgent calls for action online.
AnimalsNews

Man charged over animal cruelty after dog filmed recoiling in fear on busy street

May 4, 2026

Categories

  • Lifestyle
  • U.K News
  • World
  • Technology
  • Business
Quick Link
  • My Bookmark
  • Interests
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Write for us
  • Authors
  • Contact
Top Categories
  • Business
  • Environment
  • Lifestyle
  • Technology
  • Fitness and health
  • Property
  • Entertainment

Subscribe US

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

2024 © Need To Know. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?