For the first time, a Siberian musk deer has been born at the Akron Zoo. The female fawn was born on June 13, and currently is off exhibit with her mother, Anastasia. Father, Vlad, is on exhibit daily. The fawn is expected to make her public debut in the next couple weeks.

The Siberian musk deer are new to the Akron Zoo, having gone on exhibit for the first time in May. Vlad and Anastasia arrived from the Bronx Zoo last fall, with a breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) managed program.

“We’re very excited to welcome the musk deer fawn to our Akron Zoo family,” said Doug Piekarz, president & CEO at the Akron Zoo. “The Siberian musk deer have been a fantastic new addition here at the zoo, and are proving to be great ambassadors for their species.”

Siberian musk deer are native to the forests and mountains of Russia and northern Asia. They get their name from the musk that they secrete during mating season. They are known for their kangaroo-like faces and the “fangs” (large canine teeth) on the males. Musk deer are small, weighing from 15 to 35 pounds on average. At birth, the fawn weighed approx. 1 ½ pounds. Currently, she weighs four pounds.

Musk deer are listed as “vulnerable” by the IUCN Red List from poachers hunting them for their musk glands. The glands were once used in perfume making and are now commonly used in traditional medicine.