A Little Update: Big News from Our Dik Dik Duo

Dik Dik by Paul Caster

LITTLE ROCK (May 13, 2025) – We’re thrilled to announce the birth of the Little Rock Zoo’s newest and tiniest resident—a baby Kirk’s dik dik! This adorable addition arrived on April 29, 2025.

Dik dik are small African antelopes named for the distinctive “dik-dik” sound they make when alarmed. Of the four known species, the Little Rock Zoo is home to the Kirk’s dik dik—a species known not only for its petite size but also for its rare social structure. Unlike many antelope, Kirk’s dik diks are monogamous and live in lifelong pairs.

This birth is especially exciting for our team, as it marks the first offspring for parents Abeba and Zip Tie. Zip Tie, born in 2023, was the first dik dik to return to the Zoo in several years. He was joined by Abeba, born in October 2024, shortly after.

Although females can reproduce as early as six months old, successfully raising a calf is no small feat. Infant mortality is high in this species, so our animal care team has been monitoring the new family closely. Thankfully, all three are adjusting well.

Kirk’s dik dik babies are remarkably large at birth—typically around 10% of their mother’s body weight—which can make them tricky to spot at first glance. We’re still waiting to confirm the calf’s gender, but we hope to know soon.

Where to Find the Dik-Dik

We invite you to stop by and meet our newest arrival in person! The dik dik habitat is located next to the red river hogs, just across from the entrance to Penguin Pointe. It’s the perfect stop to observe one of the Zoo’s most unique species.

Your visit supports our efforts to provide excellent care for all our animals and contributes to our mission of education and conservation. Plan your trip today and come see why the dik-dik is one of the most extraordinary animals at the Little Rock Zoo!

Photo Credits: Paul Caster