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Ohio zoo celebrates its first official birth of 2021 — an adorable tufted deer

Tufted deer
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Tufted deer
SOURCE: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
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Ohio zoo celebrates its first official birth of 2021 — an adorable tufted deer
An Ohio zoo is celebrating its first birth of the new year — an adorable tufted deer.The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium announced on Facebook Thursday a new addition to its zoo family. The male fawn was born to mother, Joslyn, and father, Dexter, on Jan. 4.According to the zoo, the fawn is currently being hand-raised by his care team due to complications following his birth. Zoo officials said breeding season for tufted deer is in the fall and babies are typically born in the spring, however, Joslyn's fawn was born in the outdoor habitat in the winter. Due to harsh winter conditions that are not good for the fawn's wellbeing, a care team placed the fawn in a temperature-controlled environment. The care team began caring for the fawn "within 24 hours after the first neonate exam indicated that the fawn had not received nutrition from his mother," the zoo said.The baby was given a bottle by the care team and he "took it without hesitation," according to zoo officials.As of Thursday, the zoo said both the mother and the fawn are doing well. The fawn remains with the care team and away from his mother, but the care team hopes to reunite the pair very soon.The fawn will remain in a behind-the-scenes habitat until spring.

An Ohio zoo is celebrating its first birth of the new year — an adorable tufted deer.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium announced on Facebook Thursday a new addition to its zoo family.

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The male fawn was born to mother, Joslyn, and father, Dexter, on Jan. 4.

According to the zoo, the fawn is currently being hand-raised by his care team due to complications following his birth.

Zoo officials said breeding season for tufted deer is in the fall and babies are typically born in the spring, however, Joslyn's fawn was born in the outdoor habitat in the winter. Due to harsh winter conditions that are not good for the fawn's wellbeing, a care team placed the fawn in a temperature-controlled environment. The care team began caring for the fawn "within 24 hours after the first neonate exam indicated that the fawn had not received nutrition from his mother," the zoo said.

The baby was given a bottle by the care team and he "took it without hesitation," according to zoo officials.

As of Thursday, the zoo said both the mother and the fawn are doing well. The fawn remains with the care team and away from his mother, but the care team hopes to reunite the pair very soon.

The fawn will remain in a behind-the-scenes habitat until spring.