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Paignton Zoo welcomes arrival of 'Bambi-like' antelope calf

Paignton Zoo A Kirk's dik-dik calfPaignton Zoo
The calf was born at Paignton Zoo on New Year's Day

Paignton Zoo has welcomed the arrival of a baby Kirk's dik-dik - a species of antelope.

The new arrival is the fourth calf born at the zoo, with the last calf born in July last year.

Curator of mammals Owen Taylor said the birth showed how successful zoo-based breeding programmes could be.

The zoo said the animal, which is native to the shrublands and savannahs of northeast Africa, had an "adorable, Bambi-like appearance".

Paignton Zoo A family of Kirk's dik-diksPaignton Zoo
Staff at the zoo said it was still to early to tell what sex the calf was

Mr Taylor said: "We were delighted to find that she had given birth on New Year's Day, it's such a fantastic way to start the New Year."

The zoo's family of Kirk's dik-dik are part of a European breeding programme, which aims to ensure that the captive population in European zoos remains fit and healthy.

The species are not currently considered threatened.

Mr Taylor said the calf was "bonding very quickly" with its parents and sibling.

A fully grown Kirk's dik-dik stands at about 40cm (16in) tall and weighs about 5kg (11lb).

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