Our team of veterinarians and zoo keepers at Terra Natura Benidorm have been in charge of raising and bottle feeding a chital that had been rejected by her mother at birth. The carers found her alone in the prairie of the Asian area where the chital group (Axis axis) lives.

By confirming that the baby had been abandoned by her mother and observing her vulnerable conditions, it was decided to administer heat, serum and antibiotics to ensure the well-being and survival of the chital. As her mother did not want to take charge of raising the little chital, the zoo keepers have had to give her bottles daily to guarantee her feeding. Now the chital has four milk feeds a day of 250 millilitres each.

Gradually, the dose of each feed and the daily number of feedings will be reduced until the baby does not need it and feeds independently. This process can take up to three months. The Terra Natura Benidorm team of experts has started the reintroduction stage of the breeding so that it is accepted by the group of the species. Little by little, the baby is allowed to spend more time with its group.

Currently, the park has a group of 30 chitals divided in two different meadows, one in the elephant meadow made up of single males and another reproductive group made up of a dominant male, females and babies. This species is characterised by being a social animal that is organized in groups of between 10 and 50 individuals depending on their age and gender.

Some researchers have observed their defensive behaviour patterns against predators, raising their head and antlers in a threatening manner. They feed on grasses, fallen fruits, and flowers. Species of grasses and fungi provide them with essential nutrients to lead a healthy life. Within their natural habitat they prefer to stay close to water to drink during the morning and afternoon, when temperatures are higher.