Chemnitz Zoo: Offspring of a rare deer species
Voting for a name runs until 21 January
At the beginning of December, the Prince Alfred deer at Chemnitz Zoo gave birth. On 4 December 2023, mother Herta gave birth to a male cub.
After a new pair was put together in 2019 as part of the International Breeding Book, which is coordinated by Landau Zoo in the Palatinate, and another female was added in 2022, this is now the first offspring of this species at the zoo for several years.
The species, which is endemic to the Philippines, is named after Duke Alfred of Edinburgh, the son of the British Queen Victoria. It is not only one of the smallest, but unfortunately also one of the most endangered deer species in the world. Populations continue to decline, primarily due to habitat loss. Since 2016, the species has therefore been classified as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - the middle of three endangerment categories. This makes successful and coordinated breeding all the more important. Chemnitz Zoo has already had several offspring of this species.
Name wanted - What should the "little prince" be called?
A suitable name is now being sought for the little Prince Alfred deer. As the names of all adult animals of this species at Chemnitz Zoo begin with the letters H and E, the zoo keepers have come up with three name suggestions: Heinz, Hensel and Herbert.
You can vote at tierpark(at)stadt-chemnitz.de. The name with the most votes wins. Entrants who have voted for the winning name will be entered into a prize draw to win an admission ticket including a guided tour of the "Prince".
Voting ends on Sunday, 21 January 2024.
www.tierpark-chemnitz.de
Opening hours of the zoo and wildlife park in January and February:
9 a.m. to 4 p.m., last admission 3 p.m.