Edinburgh Zoo Welcome Kirk’s Dik Dik Calf

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) have announced the birth of a kirk’s dik dik calf at the Edinburgh Zoo. This week they released the first images of the new arrival born to parents Noodle and Drax.

Keepers have chosen the name Petal for the new addition to the herd.

Edinburgh Zoo is home to a herd of five kirk’s dik dik which can be found living in the zoo’s Africa aviary. Guests may be able to spot Petal exploring the enclosure alongside her mother Noodle.

Kirk’s dik dik are among the smallest species of antelope in the world standing just 40cm tall. Their native home is on the grasslands of Africa.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) consider the kirk’s dik dik to have a stable population. They are declining in some areas which are densely settled primarily due to hunting.