Safaripark Beekse Bergen welcomes Père David's deer and Common elands

Hilvarenbeek, September 5, 2024 - In Safaripark Beekse Bergen a Père David's deer and two Common eland were born. The young were born in mid-August. Not an everyday event, as there are only a few thousand of the Père David's deer worldwide, and the last time a young was born at the park for the Common eland was in 2018.

Père David's deer are native to China, where they lived in areas with abundant water and swamps. Due to intensive hunting, the species almost disappeared in the nineteenth century. Thanks to cooperation from European zoos, there are now again some thousands worldwide. Nine Père David's deer now live in Beekse Bergen. The latest addition, a female, was born on August 17.

The doe is doing well. Head of animal care Kris Jansen says, "She is doing very well. Cervids put their young away in a hidden place for the first few days, because they are not yet strong enough to join the group. That is now the case."

Notable Characteristics

Père David's deer can be recognized by their external features, which are reminiscent of other animal species. The head somewhat resembles a horse's head, the hooves resemble those of a bovine, the antlers resemble those of a deer and the tail is donkey-like. So in Chinese, they are nicknamed "sze pu shiang," or "none of the four." The antlers do look different from other deer species, as the points point backward rather than forward.

Even more new life

Common eland also celebrated the arrival of new life. On Aug. 11 and 14, respectively, a female and a male cub saw the light of life. The young Common eland have the same father and are thus half-sister and brother to each other. At Beekse Bergen, these are the first births in this species since 2018. Jansen: "The group was getting smaller, so it was a good time to add an adult male. If young were added every year, the herd would become too big. So for Beekse Bergen, this is a special event."

Curious rhinos

Common eland also stay protected in the nest for the first few days. Curator Lars Versteege: "They live in the same area as the rhinos, which like to go out to research if there is something on the ground. That's why we had the rhinos temporarily stay on another plain until the young were big enough. That is no longer necessary now. The cubs are doing well, participating fully with the herd."

Common eland

Common eland is characterized by spiral antlers. Common eland is also one of the largest antelope species in the world; only giant moose are larger.

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