United States - July 15, 2025 A newborn southern pudu fawn, one of the smallest deer species on Earth, has made its public debut at the Queens Zoo. The fawn was born on May 22, weighing just 2 pounds. Adult southern pudu typically weigh between 15 and 20 pounds and stand only 14 to 17 inches tall. With the arrival of the fawn, the Queens Zoo now has three pudu on exhibit. Another pudu, born in June 2024, is scheduled to be transferred to another facility as part of the Southern Pudu Species Survival Plan. The zoo has been participating in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ SSP since 2005 and has since welcomed nine pudu fawns. Native to Chile and Argentina, southern pudu (Pudu puda) are classified as Near-Threatened by the IUCN due to habitat loss from urban development, agriculture, recreation, invasive species, and disease. The Queens Zoo specializes in showcasing animals from the Americas, including rare species like the Andean bear, puma, and Roosevelt elk.