We have received an early Christmas present with the unexpected autumn birth of a baby dik-dik antelope!

Although the team our primary female, Cora, was pregnant, we were not sure how far along. We were alerted thanks to an eagle-eyed, regular visitor, who spotted Cora instinctively hiding the new-born in the bushes.

With first time mum and brand new baby sheltering from some ‘traditional’ Lake District weather in the bushes, keepers were torn between wanting to make sure the baby was healthy and safe, but not to stress or panic the new family. Cordoning off the area and keeping watch, they were relieved when the pair went inside, to the shelter of their heated bedroom, where they could be monitored without being disturbed.

Now we are planning to CELEBRATE and are putting in plans to accommodate the new baby being the centre of attention for a weekend full of Dik-Dik adorableness!

With mum, dad and the as yet unnamed and unsexed baby doing well, we will be celebrating over the weekend of October 15-16 with African-themed information, extra keeper talks, and traditional style food in the café, which proved irresistibly popular at the original launch of Africa Drylands.

Join us in celebrating our brand-new baby!