Tasmanian devils delay arrival to Paris Zoo

Tasmanian devils delay arrival to Paris Zoo – Dik-Diks take their place

The Paris Zoo in the Jardin des Plantes were expecting two new additions at the end of March 2020—18-month-old Tasmanian Devils from Australia. However, the Coronavirus pandemic has led to an indefinite delay of their arrival date.

A large enclosure has been specially built to accommodate the devils – described as animals with black fur, red ears, thick tail, long whiskers, sharp teeth, huge mouth, and a shrill cry. The enclosure has wooded features, grasses, open areas, shelter, and a water point.

Due to the delay, the enclosure is now temporarily housing several Kirk’s Dik-Diks. The Kirk’s Dik-Dik (Madoqua kirkii) is an antelope from east African countries. It is the smallest of all antelopes, growing to about 35-46 centimetres (14-18 inches) tall.

The Kirk’s Dik-Dik is fawn coloured with dainty features, such as thin legs, large ears, and large eyes with white eye-rings. It has a long nose. Only the male Dik-Dik has horns. The horns are about 8 centimetres (3 inches) long and backward slanted.

It is nocturnal, active at night. It is a browser, eating plants, herbs, fruit, and tree leaves.

The Kirk's Did-Dik likes savannahs and dry areas, where it can hide in bushes because it is very shy. It lives in pairs, mating for life.

MARTINA NICOLLS

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MARTINA NICOLLS is an international aid and development consultant, and the author of: The Paris Residences of James Joyce (2020), Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom (2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).

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