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Wildlife reserve welcomes birth of rare deer calf

Neve Gordon-Farleigh
BBC News, Norfolk
Watatunga Wildlife Reserve The male white-lipped deer calf nestled in a patch of grass. It's body is a light brown colour with white speckles and has long ears. Watatunga Wildlife Reserve
The white-lipped deer calf was born at the reserve in King's Lynn on Tuesday, 10 June

A wildlife reserve has welcomed a new deer calf which is the first of its kind to be born in England.

Watatunga Wildlife Reserve based in King's Lynn, Norfolk, said a male white-lipped deer calf had been born at the site on Tuesday, 10 June.

Molly Ruder, reserve operations manager, said there are only 69 white-lipped deer in the European captive population, and only three sites in the United Kingdom have the species.

"To see the very first calf born here in Norfolk, in a naturalistic setting that mirrors their wild habitat, is something we're incredibly proud of," she said.

The 170-acre reserve is dedicated to the protection of endangered deer, antelope and bird species.

Typically native to parts of China and Tibet, the white-lipped deer is listed as a vulnerable species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (ICUN) red list, and has had a 30% population decline due to hunting, habitat loss and overexploitation.

The reserve is only one of 14 facilities in Europe to be involved in the white-lipped deer European Endangered Species Programme (EEP), which aims to manage the genetic health of rare captive populations.

Watatunga Wildlife Reserve Two white-lipped deers including a small male calf which was recently born at the reserve. They are both standing on a patch of grass near open water. Watatunga Wildlife Reserve
Molly Ruder said the birth of the deer is something the reserve is "incredibly proud of"

It said the father came to Norfolk from Germany about five years ago and is not genetically related to the UK's existing population, whereas the calf's mother is a first-time parent.

The new arrival has been described as a "confident little chap" and has been tucked away, hiding in the site's grasses.

The reserve said the birth highlights Norfolk's growing role as a leader in UK conservation, and with the movement of animals between countries, adds significant value to global conservation efforts.

Species360 confirmed the birth of the calf at the reserve was the only one in England, with a few births recorded in Scotland.

Ms Ruder said: "This is what Watatunga is all about, creating the conditions for wildlife to behave naturally and thrive.

"We're not just here to showcase animals; we're actively working toward the long-term future of species that many people may never have heard of."

The site said its second female white-lipped deer is heavily pregnant, with another birth expected "imminently".

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