Posted May 31, 2023 in News
On the 15th May female Kirk’s Dik-dik, Pumpkin, gave birth to a healthy male calf.
Pumpkin was born at Edinburgh Zoo on the 31st October – hence the name! In August 2021, Pumpkin came to Colchester Zoo upon a breeding recommendation for the species. This newest arrival is Pumpkin’s third offspring after having a male calf in April 2022 and a female calf in October 2022, both cleverly named ‘Patch’ and ‘Spice’ respectively. Dad Demetri, arrived from Antwerp Zoo in September 2016 and has since sired 14 calves – the newest arrival being his 15th offspring!
Pumpkin is an experienced mother and both her and the little calf are doing well. For the moment, the Animal Care Team will keep both Pumpkin and her calf indoors, in an off-show area, but as the little one grows healthier and stronger, they will move to their main habitat with the rest of the family at Edge of Africa.
The Kirk’s Dik-dik is one of the smallest members of the antelope family, measuring a maximum of 45cm high at the shoulder with a maximum body length of just 80cm! This species comes from eastern and southwest Africa and likes to eat shoots, twigs, leaves, fruits and flowers. In the wild, they are so well adapted to the conditions of the African bush that they do not need to drink. Instead they get all the water they need from the plants they eat! The Kirk’s Dik-dik is currently classed as ‘Least Concern’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
