Fewer around the 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 within 'fewer'.
'the' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for ewe that I've seen before include "One looking sheepish" , "The sort of beast" , "creature" , "Lamb's dam" , "Female animal" .)