A new Natal red duiker (Cephalophus natalensis) has been born at BIOPARC Valencia, bringing the number of births of this little-known African antelope at the park to 12 since its opening.
The calf is a female and was born to Fito, a male born at Wrocław Zoo in Poland in 2022, and Luna, born at BIOPARC Valencia in 2021. This is Luna’s second offspring.
During the first weeks, the animal care team is closely monitoring the youngster’s development. Her mother’s milk is being supplemented with bottle feeds to ensure that she receives the nutrients she needs during this early stage.
According to BIOPARC Valencia, her development is progressing well.
Beginning to explore the equatorial forest habitat
The young duiker initially remained in the indoor facilities, but as she has developed she has begun exploring the multispecies habitat recreating an equatorial African forest.
Here, she will share the environment with Eastern bongos (Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci), Kirk’s dik-diks (Madoqua kirkii) and black-crowned cranes (Balearica pavonina).
BIOPARC Valencia is currently the only zoological institution in Spain where Natal red duikers can be seen. The births recorded at the park are part of the European conservation programme for the species, aimed at managing the population under human care and its genetic diversity.
A small antelope disappearing from parts of its range
The Natal red duiker is a small African antelope characterised by its bright chestnut-coloured coat, paler underparts and a distinctive tuft of hair on its head.
It is a territorial species and generally lives alone, in pairs or as a pair accompanied by a calf.
In the wild, however, the Natal red duiker has disappeared from large areas of its former range, with habitat loss and hunting identified among the causes of its decline. The species is included on the IUCN Red List.
The new female in Valencia therefore becomes the latest addition to a population that BIOPARC has been managing for years within the coordinated European conservation programme.
