Visitors are flocking to the nature preserve in Tuscany where Unicorn lives hoping to capture images of the mammal drawing comparisons to the mythical animal.
"We have received so many calls from people and many are coming to see it," said Gilberto Tozzi, director of the Centre of Natural Sciences in Prato, near Florence. "Sometimes he comes close to the fence, even if he is very shy." The year-old Roe Deer was born in captivity with an apparent genetic flaw that resulted in a rare single horn in the middle of his head, Tozzi said. His twin, in contrast, has two horns.
Single-horned deer are rare but not unheard of -- but experts say the central positioning of Unicorn's horn is unusual. Tozzi speculated that such anomalies like Prato's Unicorn might 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.
In just the past few days, some 200 visitors have made the pilgrimage to the Prato preserve to see Unicorn, Tozzi said.
The shy but budding media star wanders freely around the 1-hectare park, he said.
"He is tranquil and leads his normal life," he said.
