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Colchester Zoo announces birth of 'very sweet' calf - and its name is adorable

Very sweet - Kirk's dik-dik Daffodil was born last month <i>(Image: Colchester Zoo)</i>
Very sweet - Kirk's dik-dik Daffodil was born last month (Image: Colchester Zoo)

COLCHESTER Zoo has announced the birth of a “very sweet” Kirk’s dik-dik.

The animal care team at the park have since named the newborn Daffodil after it was born on February 16.

“A perfectly fitting name with the spring season just around the corner,” a statement reads.

Daffodil’s birth marked her mother, Daenerys’, seventh offspring to date.

Gazette: Adorable - Kirk's dik-dik Daffodil
Gazette: Adorable - Kirk's dik-dik Daffodil

Adorable - Kirk's dik-dik Daffodil (Image: Colchester Zoo)

Gazette: Newborn - Daffodil was born last month
Gazette: Newborn - Daffodil was born last month

Newborn - Daffodil was born last month (Image: Colchester Zoo)

The statement continues: “After a successful birth, the young calf started to find its feet, trying to stand, and following mum so that it could suckle.”

The Kirk’s dik-dik is one of the smallest members of the antelope family, measuring a maximum of 45cm high at the shoulder with a maximum body length of just 80cm.

The species hails from eastern and south-west Africa and likes to eat shoots, twigs, leaves, fruit and flowers.

In the wild, they are so well adapted to the conditions of the African bush that they do not need to drink.