Fantasy becomes reality as ‘unicorn’ spotted

A DEER with a single horn in the centre of its head like the mythical unicorn has been spotted in an Italian nature reserve.

The one-year-old roe deer was born in captivity in a research centre’s park in the Tuscan town of Prato, near Florence.

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

“This is fantasy becoming reality,” Gilberto Tozzi, director of the Centre of Natural Sciences said.

Mr Tozzi said similar 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,” said Mr Tozzi. “It’s not like they dreamed it up.”

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

“Generally, the horn is on one side rather than being at the centre. 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.

Christian writers promoted unicorns as symbols of Christ.

Marco Polo claimed to have spotted a unicorn on his travels, but from his description of an “ugly” animal wallowing in mud, it is believed he had stumbled upon a rhino.

Tozzi said his “unicorn” was shy.

“Our deer may be aware that he is different as he doesn’t allow himself to be seen very easily,” he said.

The mother of the unusual deer was brought to the centre a few years ago after being hit and injured by a car in Italy’s Apennine mountains.