The European elk is one of the few deer that can give birth to twins. This twin birth is therefore exceptional, and welcomed as such within the zoological park of Villiers-en-bois, in the forest of Chizé.
The two twin fawns, small European moose with already long legs, were born on May 19 in the heart of the national forest of Chizé in Deux-Sèvres.
“I think it’s one of the most beautiful births I’ve had the chance to attend“comments Corentin Nivard, animal caretaker at the Zoodyssée park.
The park registers a hundred births each year, all species combined. This atypical one was particularly awaited by the team. The European elk, the largest of our continent’s deer, is one of the few that can give birth to twins after a gestation period of 245 days.
Until there, no one entered the enclosure. The mother jealously watches over her little ones, who are slowly acclimatizing. And healers and veterinarians are waiting for her to accept their approach. For the moment, they are making sure from afar that the two fawns are doing well, in a few days they should be able to examine and identify them.
“As soon as an animal is born in a zoo, it is identified by means of an electronic chip to ensure traceability, and this is a privileged moment to see the state of the animal, if there is no cardiac or respiratory problems on auscultation, if all goes well” precise Sébastien Ravon, veterinarian at Zoodyssée.
In five months, once weaned, the moose will be moved to a new pen. Until then, these babies will be the attraction of the next tourist season, among bears and bison.
(With Claire Gressieux)
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