Category: Animals
Published on: May 12th, 2025
We’ve welcomed a very special arrival to Knowsley Safari,
a Père David's deer calf!
The new arrival, set to be the first of many for the herd, took its first tumble in late April. Once extinct in the wild, Père David's deer have an incredible story. These unique animals were saved thanks to a small group that survived in captivity and, with lots of care and international conservation work, they’ve made a slow but steady comeback.
The species was first discovered in the Chinese imperial hunting park in 1865 by Père Armand David, a French missionary and explorer. Over the next few years some were sent to European zoos, which helped save the species. The flood of 1894 in China killed and Boxer rebellion in 1900 wiped most of the herd, before the 11th Duke of Bedford saved these deer from extinction, when he collected nearly all the remaining deer that were left in Europe.
The first few Père David’s deer arrived at Knowsley in 1979 and started to breed successfully, leading to the large herd we have today.
Like most deer species and many antelope species, Père David’s deer calves are safely hidden from sight of predators and away from the rest of the herd. Mothers will check on their calves and feed them when there is no sign of being spotted by a predator.
This new calf is already turning visitor's heads on our Safari Drive. With its gangly legs and curious nature, it’s a joy to watch and a reminder of how conservation can bring species not just back from the brink but help them thrive.
We’re proud to be part of that journey, working with other wildlife organisations to make sure this once-lost species has a brighter future. And the excitement doesn't stop here. Our herd is set to grow quickly, so by the time you visit you may be lucky enough to spot not just one, but a whole group of young calves exploring their new world.
Next time you visit, keep your eyes peeled and you might just catch our newest little explorers finding their feet together with the herd.
