Woodland Park Zoo welcomes new baby fawn and mountain goat

The Woodland Park Zoo is currently in the middle of a baby boom. After recently welcoming a milky eagle owl, two penguin chicks, and twin agoutis, they’ve now announced the birth of two more animals: a baby pudu fawn and a mountain goat kid.

For those wondering what a pudu is, it’s the smallest deer species in the world. Native to South America, the new pudu fawn was born May 14 to first-time parents Maggie and Ted a decade after the last pudu fawn birth at the zoo.

The couple was paired under the Pudu Species Survival Plan, which is “a cooperative, conservation breeding program across accredited zoos to help ensure a healthy, self-sustaining population of the species.”

“The new mom is providing good maternal care to her fawn. We’re pleased he’s nursing and mom and fawn are bonding,” said Mark Myers, an animal curator at Woodland Park Zoo, in a press release. “We’ll continue to monitor the new family closely.”

The male pudu fawn explores his habitat at the zoo. (Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo)

The mountain goat kid was born one day after the pudu on March 15 and is the first offspring to mom, Atlin, and dad, Zeus, who’d arrived at the zoo in 2018 under a project to relocate non-native mountain goats from Olympic National Park to the North Cascades.

“The birth of Zeus’s first kid is wonderful news. As a founder animal [born in the wild], his genes are very valuable and will infuse genetic diversity into the North American zoo population,” said Kevin Murphy, an animal curator at the zoo.

The female mountain goat kid explores the Northern Trail habitat with mom Atlin. (Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo)

“Both animals appear to be healthy. Their body conditions show they’re getting good nutrition and hydration. Their energy levels are good and they have strong suckle reflexes,” said Dr. Darin Collins, director of animal health.

Director of Animal Health Dr. Darin Collins examines a male pudu while animal keeper Jamie Delk holds the fawn. (Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo)

The zoo is currently closed but is asking the community for donations and support. They have created the Woodland Park Zoo Relief Fund to continue caring for their animals during the pandemic.

Those looking to help can donate money online.