Crossword Genius

Reportedly precious animals (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

deer

'animals' is the definition.
(type of animals)

'reportedly precious' is the wordplay.
'reportedly' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'precious' becomes 'dear' (I've seen this in another clue).
'dear' is a homophone of 'DEER'.

(Other definitions for deer that I've seen before include "Perhaps fallow" , "The male is a stag" , "The males have antlers" , "Ruminant mammal with antlers and hooves" , "Hoofed animals" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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