As the new year unfolds, the Chimelong Wildlife World in Guangzhou proudly presents two adorable Hainan Eld's deer calves, making their first public appearance in recent days.

Under the nurturing care of their deer mother, these two lovable Eld's deer babies have grown healthily, becoming a captivating sight in the tour area of the Chimelong Wildlife World.

The Hainan Eld's deer, a unique and rare species in China, inhabit the hilly grasslands of western Hainan. In recent years, due to human activities and environmental changes, the wild population of Hainan Eld's deer has been declining. It is classified as a first-class protected animal in China, considered the most precious among the 17 deer species in the country, earning the title of "rare treasure."

In the exhibition area of the Chimelong Wildlife World's tour zone, the two deer calves have attracted the attention of numerous visitors.

Proudly speaking to reporters, the caretaker explained that the first calf, a female named "Wuren," was born on September 25, 2023, followed by the second calf, a female named "Jiujiu," born on September 29. Both calves exhibited robust health, standing on their own shortly after birth, showcasing their vigorous vitality. Today marks the 100th day since the birth of "Wuren"! The two Eld's deer babies can now independently feed on leaves and grass.

The caretaker happily mentioned that the birth process of these two calves went smoothly, without any human intervention, entirely through natural delivery. The parents of the calves are one male deer and two female deer. Observers can also spot the two male deer next to the Eld's deer, born at the end of 2022, known as the "big brothers of the baby deer," true Guangzhou natives!

Regarding the future of these two newly born deer calves, Chen Siming, a conservation expert at Chimelong Wildlife World, assured that they would receive ample attention and protection.

Since the introduction of Hainan Eld's deer to the Chimelong Wildlife World in late 2018, the park has been diligently caring for them. Hainan Eld's deer are herbivores, preferring tender and juicy grass and leaves in their diet, complemented by protein-rich leguminous plants and minerals from alkaline soil. Since 2020, the park has maintained a record of successful breeding every year.

With a heart-shaped large nose, Eld's deer use their distinctive physiological structure to perceive subtle changes in the environment. This is evident in their high alertness while foraging, as they regularly lift their heads to scan their surroundings after consuming a few bites. The deer's elegant and slender physique, with long legs capable of effortlessly leaping over obstacles exceeding 2 meters in height, adds to their graceful and agile nature.

Source :Yangcheng Evening News

珍稀海南坡鹿新生幼崽百日合群广州长隆首展

新年伊始，广州长隆野生动物世界两头新生海南坡鹿幼崽于近日首次与公众见面。

这两头可爱的坡鹿宝宝在鹿妈妈的呵护下健康成长，成为了长隆野生动物世界乘车游览区的中一道亮丽的风景线。

海南坡鹿是我国特有的珍稀物种，栖息在海南西部的丘陵草坡地带。近年来，由于人类活动和环境变化的影响，野外海南坡鹿的数量不断减少，已被列为我国一级保护动物，是中国17种鹿类动物中最珍贵的一种，被誉为“稀世之珍”。

在长隆野生动物世界乘车游览区的展区中，两头海南坡鹿新生幼崽亮相，吸引了众多游客的目光。

保育员自豪地向记者介绍道，2023年9月25日，坡鹿产了今年的第一头幼崽，雌性，取名叫“五仁”，9月29日出生了第二头幼崽，雌性，取名叫“玖玖”，它们体格强健，出生后便能自行站立，展现出旺盛的生命力。今天就是“姐姐”出生的第100天！现在两头坡鹿宝宝已经可以自主采食树叶、青草。

保育员笑称，这两头幼崽的出生过程十分顺利，没有人工干预，完全是自然分娩。两头幼崽的父母分别是同一头雄鹿和不同的雌鹿。大家看到坡鹿旁边的两头雄鹿，是2022年年底在长隆出生的“哥哥”，“土生土长”的广州仔！

对于这两头新生海南坡鹿幼崽的未来，长隆野生动物世界保育专家陈思明表示将给予充分的关注和保护。

据悉，长隆野生动物世界自2018年年底引进海南坡鹿以来，一直悉心呵护，海南坡鹿是食草性动物，它们喜欢口感好、鲜嫩多汁的嫩草嫩叶，日常搭配蛋白质丰富的豆科植物，盐碱土里的矿物质和盐分也在它的食谱中。从2020年开始，长隆野生动物世界保持每年都有成功繁育的纪录。

海南坡鹿有心形的大鼻头，保育员指出，特殊的生理结构帮助坡鹿感知环境中的细微变化，表现为在觅食的时候警觉性很高，每吃两三口便抬头四处张望。此外，海南坡鹿有着细长的颈部、纤瘦的四肢，体态优雅又轻盈，“大长腿”能轻松跳过2米多高的障碍物。

文、图 | 记者 黎存根 通讯员 邓泳怡
译 | 刘佳慧