COLCHESTER Zoo has revealed it is celebrating the birth of a tiny antelope calf.
Blue duiker Jasmine gave birth to the adorable calf on September 18, who has since been confirmed as male and named Haslam by the zoo’s animal care team.
Both mum and her new arrival are doing well as Jasmine continues to be a very attentive mother alongside dad, Jafar.
Blue duikers are a small species of antelope found in eastern and southern Africa.
Since Jasmine’s arrival at Colchester Zoo from France in November 2013, she has had four successful births.
All of her young have been sired by male blue duiker Jafar, and once again, the pair are proving to be great parents to their new arrival.
A spokesman for Colchester Zoo said: “The young duiker is continuing to grow healthy and strong, developing new skills from mum, dad, and older sister Penelope.”
The blue duiker is listed as ‘Least Concern’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species, however, they are hunted for the bush meat trade.
One of this species’ most distinguishing features is the scent gland on their face, which are used to mark their territory.
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