Pune Zoo to Welcome Rare Mouse Deer, the World’s Smallest Deer Species

Visitors will soon get a chance to see the elusive and rare mouse deer, or “pisori,” at Pune’s Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park.

Pune’s Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park is set to introduce four new residents from a rare deer species known as the mouse deer, or “pisori,” within the next two months. This unique addition marks the first time that Pune locals will be able to observe the world’s smallest deer species up close. To accommodate these new arrivals, the zoo is currently finishing the construction of specialized enclosures designed for the needs of the pisori deer.

Mouse deer are incredibly small compared to other deer species, with an average height of only 25 to 30 centimeters at the shoulder. These shy, nocturnal animals prefer rocky, dense forest environments near rivers, streams, or ponds where they can remain hidden from predators. Their diet mainly consists of wild plants, leaves, grass, and fallen fruits, and they are known to be highly dependent on water sources in their habitat.

Native to regions spanning Southeast Asia, South Asia, and parts of Central and West Africa, mouse deer belong to the, Tragulidae family. There are two main types of this species: the Asian mouse deer and the African mouse deer. In India, the Asian species can be found in the dense forests of southern India, in the Western Ghats, parts of Odisha, Bihar and some hilly areas of Madhya Pradesh. In all of these locations, mouse deer are adept at hiding in rock crevices and beneath stones for safety.

The upcoming mouse deer in Pune will be brought from Guwahati and will arrive as two pairs, giving visitors a rare chance to see these animals that are not commonly found in zoos. Mouse deer have a distinctive look, with small heads, sharp noses and small fang-like canines similar to the musk deer.

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