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Three guesses...
“Kirk’s dik-diks live in open grasslands, so they can spot danger approaching quickly. When threatened, they flee into the bushes, making a sound that goes ‘dik-dik’. That’s where their name comes from.”
Discover in real lifeHabitat:
dry woodland areas in East and South-West Africa
Food:
leaves, grass and fruit
Lifespan:
4 years
Weight:
2.5 - 6.5 kg
Number of young:
1 young
Gestation period:
5.5 - 6 months
To be seen:
along the walking safari
IUCN status:
safe
EEP:
yes
About the Kirk's dik-dik
The Kirk’s dik-dik (Madoqua kirkii) is one of Africa’s smallest antelopes and lives in dry woodland and scrubland in East and South-West Africa. Weighing just 2.5 to 6.5 kilograms, it moves easily through dense scrub, where it feeds on leaves, grass and fruit. Dik-diks usually live in monogamous pairs and, after a gestation period of around 5.5 to 6 months, give birth to a single young.
Habitat and threats
The Kirks’ dik-dik lives in dry woodland and scrubland areas of East and South-West Africa. Thanks to its small size, it is able to hide well amongst the dense vegetation. The species is listed as ‘Least Concern’ on the IUCN Red List. Although habitat loss may pose a threat locally, populations are currently stable.
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Species conservation in Beekse Bergen
Fortunately, the IUCN status of the kirk's dik-dik is “least concern”, but did you know that more than 10,000 animal species are threatened with extinction? Beekse Bergen works together with approximately 325 European zoos to preserve these species. We form the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). Through management programmes (EEPs), we ensure healthy reserve populations.
The kirk's dik-dik at Beekse Bergen are also part of an EEP. A coordinator keeps a studbook of the species and manages the population in zoos. Together with a committee, the coordinator advises on which animals are allowed to breed together. Sometimes this means that a kirk's dik-dik is moved to another zoo. In this way, we increase the chance of healthy offspring and the survival of the species. You can recognize animal species with an EEP by the logo of a rhino with a calf.