Vienna, Austria - January 16, 2025 For the first time in Vienna Zoo's history, a baby Kirk Dikdik has been born. The female calf arrived just before Christmas in the historic enclosure where the species has resided since 2014. Kirk Dikdiks are among Africa’s smallest antelopes, with the young calf expected to grow no larger than a field hare. "Being so small means they face many predators in the wild," said zoo director Dr. Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck. "But Dikdiks have excellent vision, hearing, and a keen sense of smell, plus their brown fur helps them blend into tall grasses. Sometimes, only the calf's distinct nose is visible in the hay." The Dikdik’s signature feature, an extendable and inflatable nose, helps regulate body temperature by cooling the blood in hot, dry African steppes. Dr. Folko Balfanz, the zoo’s zoological curator, explained the care taken to pair appropriate breeding pairs. "Just housing males and females together doesn’t guarantee reproduction; chemistry is key. We’re thrilled that our Dikdiks have successfully reproduced, contributing to the European Endangered Species Programme." Named after their high-pitched alarm call, which sounds like "dsik-dsik," these tiny antelopes hide in dense vegetation but can flee at impressive speeds when threatened, providing them an essential survival advantage in their native African grasslands.