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

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