New at the Zoo: Duiker Arrives at the Maryland Zoo

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: July 4, 2021 2:00 am

Kuruka, a blue duiker settles in to his new habitat at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore

Photo Credit: The Maryland Zoo

The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore have introduced one of their newest residents, Kuruka a male blue duiker. He has moved to Baltimore from the Dallas Zoo in Texas.

11 month old Kuruka has come to Maryland to be paired with a 4 year old female known as Flower The pair were matched by the Blue Duiker Species Survival Plan (SSP.). This program works to maintain the genetic health of duiker held in zoos.

After completing a 30 day quarantine period Kuruka has recently been introduced to Flower and the African crowned cranes with which they will share their habitat.

Kuruka, a blue duiker meets Flower, his new mate at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore

Photo Credit: The Maryland Zoo

“We are so excited to have Kuruka here at the Zoo,” said Erin Grimm, mammal collection and conservation manager. “He is a very active animal and has quickly assimilated to his new habitat. He and Flower are getting along well and we think guests will really enjoy learning about this tiny antelope species.”

Flower has previously given birth to two offspring, one of which, LJ, currently lives among the birds in the African Aviary.

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Blue duiker are found in the forests of western, southern and eastern Africa. Duiker comes from an Afrikaans word ‘duiker’ which means to dive. This relates to the way they duck in to bushes when a threat approaches.

They are threatened in the wild by over-hunting and habitat loss.

Learn more about the Maryland Zoo on their website – Maryland Zoo