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Crested deer at Leipzig Zoo: Reproduction remains a mystery!
An East Chinese crested deer named Janno lives in Leipzig Zoo, whose reproduction is taken care of by his partner Nicole.
Crested deer at Leipzig Zoo: Reproduction remains a mystery!
The wildlife at Leipzig Zoo is currently making headlines, with the East Chinese crested deer in particular attracting the attention of zookeepers. These fascinating animals come from the high mountains of the Himalayas and are characterized not only by their characteristic hairstyles, but also by their shy nature. Zookeeper Holger Wust expresses concern about the love lives of male Janno and female Nicole, as there are no signs of reproduction so far. According to information from Thuringia24 There have been difficulties in the past in bringing the two deer closer together.
Janno, the new male, only moved to Leipzig in January 2025 and replaced Paul, who had previously had no success in recruiting Nicole. The two crested deer have shown little interest in each other so far, which has dampened the zookeepers' hopes of finding healthy offspring. Janno has been described as a “homebody” while Nicole is active and lively. The crested deer's reproductive season begins in late autumn, which gives the keepers time to foster the relationship between Janno and Nicole.
A little about crested deer
To understand the special features of crested deer, it is worth taking a look at their natural habitat. These animals live in moist mountain forests at altitudes of 300 to 4,750 meters in central and southern China Wuppertal.de pointed out. They are easy to recognize because of their striking features, such as the up to 17 centimeter high hair and the elongated canine teeth. In nature, they are graphically characterized by their dark fur and white markings on their lips and eyes.
Reproduction of this species is a significant issue as crested deer are classified as potentially vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Additionally, hunting them for their hides and meat is a serious threat. In the zoo, the enclosures for these animals are relatively spacious and it is recommended to provide at least 250 m² for a pair. In Leipzig it is hoped that the changes in mating behavior and the change in males will lead to successful breeding.
A promising outlook
It remains to be seen whether the small mutiny caused by the partner swap under the European Ex Situ Program (EEP) will bear fruit. Leipzig Zoo hopes that Janno and Nicole will get along better in the coming months and perhaps be able to have offspring soon. The food supply and keeping animals in a natural enclosure are other factors that play a role.
Meanwhile, in Wuppertal, a similar problem is being observed in another place, because the crested deer pair Janno and Falbala had been together successfully for years, but there were also no offspring. Paul, who now lives in Wuppertal, could perhaps turn things around. The enthusiasm and hopes of zookeepers can continue to grow every day if they are willing to understand and meet the needs of their animals.