Meet the world's smallest (and most adorable) deer

It's a boy! The Wildlife Conservation Society Queens Zoo in New York City have announced their newest resident, a southern pudu fawn (Pudu puda) born on May 12. 

Move over, Bambi, this little guy is taking the crown for cutest deer ever.  

The miniature pudu, known as the smallest deer species in the world, are native to South America.  

The fawn is still nursing but will soon move on to a hearty diet of grain, fresh leaves, kale, carrots and hay, the society said. His little white spots will also fade and disappear as he grows up, which won't take long as he only has about another 15cm to go until he is fully grown. 

There are currently three pudu deers at Queens zoo. The shy and solitary creatures are known to hide, but visitors to the zoo will be able to see the pudu's extraordinary jumping and sprinting behaviour, depending on the animals' mood. They are also known to bark when sensing danger and run in a weird zig-zag pattern to escape predators. 

Cuteness aside, the arrival of a new southern pudu is a win for the species, who are in grave danger of extinction and have been classified as vulnerable animals by the International Union for Conversation of Nature. 

To make a donation to the WCS in support of helping save wildlife and wild places, click here.