Fewer around animal (3)
I believe the answer is:
ewe
'animal' is the definition.
(female sheep)
'fewer around' is the wordplay.
'around' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'EWE' is hidden in the letters of 'fewer'.
(Other definitions for ewe that I've seen before include "Wool producer" , "Sheep found in sewer" , "Ruminant" , "Partner to ram" , "Female on farm" .)