Single Horned 'Unicorn Deer' Is Found In Italy

[Kor37 9]

Single-horned 'Unicorn' deer is found in Italy

By MARTA FALCONI,AP

Posted: 2008-06-11 11:51:22

ROME (AP) - A deer with a single horn in the center of its head - much like the fabled, mythical unicorn - has been spotted in a nature preserve in Italy, park officials said Wednesday.

 

"This is fantasy becoming reality," Gilberto Tozzi, director of the Center of Natural Sciences in Prato, told The Associated Press. "The unicorn has always been a mythological animal."

 

The 1-year-old Roe Deer - nicknamed "Unicorn" - was born in captivity in the research center's park in the Tuscan town of Prato, near Florence, Tozzi said.

 

He is believed to have been born with a genetic flaw; his twin has two horns.

 

Calling it the first time he has seen such a case, Tozzi said such anomalies among deer may have inspired the myth of the unicorn.

 

The unicorn, a horse-like creature with magical healing powers, has appeared in legends and stories throughout history, from ancient and medieval texts to the adventures of Harry Potter.

 

"This shows that even in past times, there could have been animals with this anomaly," he said by telephone. "It's not like they dreamed it up."

 

Single-horned deer are rare but not unheard of - but even more unusual is the central positioning of the horn, experts said.

 

"Generally, the horn is on one side (of the head) rather than being at the center. This looks like a complex case," said Fulvio Fraticelli, scientific director of Rome's zoo. He said the position of the horn could also be the result of a trauma early in the animal's life.

 

Other mammals are believed to contribute to the myth of the unicorn, including the narwhal, a whale with a long, spiraling tusk.

http://www.aolcdn.com/aolnews_photos/00/03...611152409990002

 

Edited June 11, 2008 by Kor37

[Theunicornhunter 2]

[He Who Shall Not Be Named 2]

Finally, Unicorn Hunter has some target practice!

[Kor37 9]

Now I know you like hunting them, but you leave this unicorn alone! He/she is too cute!..... :)

[Theunicornhunter 2]

I'm a unicorn hunter in the sense Steve Irwin was a Crocodile Hunter :)

 

I would like to see this deer though.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named 2]

I loved it when they ripped on Irwin on South Park.

 

"I'm gonna sneak up behind this croc, and jam me thumb into it's butt hole!"

 

South Park does a good job ripping on Australians.

[rob39874 0]

Ah that was in the first season not sure of the name but it had a man that was frozed in ice wasn't it?

[He Who Shall Not Be Named 2]

It couldn't have been the first episode. Don't remember when they were however.

Edited June 12, 2008 by Lt. Van Roy

[Kor37 9]

I'm a unicorn hunter in the sense Steve Irwin was a Crocodile Hunter :)

 

I would like to see this deer though.

Go to the end of the article I posted above. There is a link to a picture.

[trekz 7]

There was a picture of the unicorn deer in the Chicago Sun Times today. Apparently tourists by the drove are visiting the nature preserve to see "Unicorn." I hope they are collecting a fee to help all the animals at the preserve.

Edited June 13, 2008 by trekz