Maryland Zoo Wants To Show You Their New Kirk's Dik-dik Calf

By Jane Ballentine

Baltimore, MD - The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is happy to announce a few new additions to the Zoo that visitors can seek out this summer.

On Sunday, May 24, Giraffe House keepers were happy to note the birth of a Kirk’s dik-dik calf. Kirk’s dik-dik are tiny antelope found mainly in eastern Africa. Female Gwen had delivered the 639 gram (1.4 pound) female calf overnight. Veterinarians checked out the baby and determined she was strong, healthy, and nursing well. The pair have been off exhibit while mother and baby bonded, and the staff baby-proofed the exhibit. The baby has been named Maddie, short for Madoqua which is the genus name of the species, madoqua kirkii. Maddie and mom Gwen are in the exhibit next to the warthog. You will have to be very quiet and look closely, dik-dik are not only small, but shy as well.

The male African-crested porcupine was moved indoors to The Chimpanzee Forest during the winter. The animal care staff noted that he seemed much more active in this environment, and have decided to keep him there. Recently the Zoo acquired a female African-crested porcupine and introduced the male and female. According to staff, they are very comfortable with one another and will now be together on exhibit daily, along with the colobus and red-tailed monkeys and rock hyrax.

In early May, the zoo welcomed this year’s second calf to the sitatunga herd. Pithos, born to mother Pandora, did not bond appropriately with his mother immediately, so staff took on the responsibility of supplemental feeding. During the early stages of his development, he was maintained with a few select herd members in a private off-exhibit yard as he grew stronger. He has recently joined the rest of the herd in the main sitatunga exhibit where he can be viewed among the grasses. The Maryland Zoo’s sitatunga herd is made up of seven animals, including Pithos, and can be found along the boardwalk in the African Journey section of the Zoo. 

About The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore

Founded in 1876, The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is the third oldest zoo in the United States and is internationally known for its contributions in conservation and research. More than 1,500 animals are represented in the Zoo’s varied natural habitat exhibits in areas such as Polar Bear Watch, the Maryland Wilderness, African Journey and the award-winning Children’s Zoo. Situated in Druid Hill Park near downtown Baltimore, the Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. For more information, visit www.marylandzoo.org. 

To view Maryland Zoo's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to: http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-103-Maryland_Zoo_in_Baltimore