Adorable Baby Dik-Dik Antelope Is Only 7.5 Inches Tall | ZooBorns

An orphaned Kirk’s dik-dik antelope has become Chester Zoo’s newest arrival. The 7.5 inches tall baby lost his mother soon after his birth on Sunday 8 January and zookeepers have become his carers. Named Thanos, the precious calf is doing well with five bottle feeds a day until he is old enough to eat on his own.

This baby <a href="https://rumble.com/v33z3y-just-an-orphaned-dik-dik-being-bottle-fed.html" target="_blank">dik-dik</a> was orphaned when his mom dies at birth, so assistant team manager Kim Wood and keeper Barbara Dreyer have both been playing mom to the adorable calf. Kim said: “The youngster is beginning to find his feet now and is really starting to hold is own. He is doing ever so well and is getting stronger by the day.

“We’re hopeful that, in a few months time, we’ll be able to introduce him to some of the other members of our group of dik-diks. He may be tiny but he is certainly making a big impression on everyone at the zoo."

Kirk's dik-diks have tiny teardrop markings just under their eyes which make them look four-eyed. They got their name from Sir John Kirk, a 19th century Scottish naturalist, as well as the sound they make when feeling from danger.

Although he is already one of the smallest members of the animal kingdom, Thanos will not grow too much more as dik-diks grow to a maximum size of 40cm - making them one of the smallest species of <a href="https://rumble.com/v3f9ei-antelope-rescued-from-barbed-wire-fence.html" target="_blank">antelope</a> in the world.

Videographer / director: ZooBorns
Producer: Hannah Stevens, Ruby Coote
Editor: Sonia Estal