An orphaned Pudu deer, the tiniest deer species in the world and in grave danger of extinction, is rescued from a forest in Chile.

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San Sebastian University in Chile has a very special little guest.

Her name is Bambu, a one-month-old Pudu deer, the smallest deer species in the entire world.

The tiny fawn was found orphaned in a forest on the outskirts of the city when she was only about one week old.

Specialists rushed her to the university's veterinary clinic for medical attention and caretaking.

[Leonidas Valdivieso, Director of Concepcion's Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG)]:
"We took her and brought her here, to the San Sebastian University. At the time she was only one week old, and now she is one month old. When she arrived she weighed 2.6 pounds (1.2 kg) and now she weighs 4.1 pounds (1.86 kg). They feed her milk and a special diet. Now we can see that she is very agile and full of life."

Due to their dwindling numbers and timid nature, not much is currently known about wild Pudu deer.

[Dr. Miguel Mancilla, Veterinarian, San Sebastian Veterinary Clinic]:
"We have been getting to know the species better, but in many ways it is still an enigma. The diseases are not very well known—there are very few reports on what the species is susceptible to. More is known about animals in captivity that were born in zoos. Most of the knowledge that exists about animals are from those born in captivity, very little is known about wild animals."

Pudus live in forests in Chile and Argentina and when full-grown can weigh up to 22 pounds (10 kg).

Two of the principle problems affecting the Pudu are caused by humans—habitat destruction and illegal hunting.

[Dr. Miguel Mancilla, Veterinarian, San Sebastian Veterinary Clinic]:
"More and more often we have been finding animals that are losing, to some extent, their wild habitat, and this is due to the fact that humans are encroaching on their environment."

While the road ahead is uncertain for little Bambu, she seems to be settling in and enjoying her new foster home.

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