THE legend of the unicorn has been punctured. The mythical beast with a horn protruding from the centre of its head, blessed with healing powers and a temper tamed only by a virgin’s touch is, in reality, just a deer with a wonky gene.
The discovery in an Italian nature reserve of a deer with a single antler growing from the centre of its head is being hailed as an explanation for the ancient belief in a horned horse capable of miracles.
The one-year-old roe deer was born in a research centre’s park in the Tuscan town of Prato, near Florence. He is believed to have a genetic flaw as his twin has two horns. The deers’ mother was brought to the park several years ago after being hit by a car in the Apennine mountains.
