The first-ever baby Kirk's dik-dik antelope to be born at Vienna Zoo made a public appearance this week.

A female calf arrived just before Christmas in the historic enclosure where the species has lived since 2014.

Kirk's dik-diks are among Africa's smallest antelopes, and the calf is expected to grow no larger than a field hare.

Zoo director Dr Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck said: 'Being so small means they face many predators in the wild.

'But dik-diks 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.'

A key feature of the dik-dik is its extendable nose, which helps regulate body temperature by cooling the blood in the hot African climate.

The zoo's zoological curator, Dr Folko Balfanz, highlighted the careful selection of breeding pairs to ensure successful reproduction.

He added: 'Just housing males and females together doesn't guarantee reproduction; chemistry is key.

'We're thrilled that our dik-diks have successfully reproduced, contributing to the European Endangered Species Programme.'

Named for their high-pitched 'dsik-dsik' alarm call, these tiny antelopes hide in dense vegetation but can flee at high speeds when threatened, helping them survive in the African grasslands.