Little Blue Duiker - He or She?

Posted on Thu July 3, 2025.

In a quiet corner of our facility, something tiny, tawny, and utterly magical has been making hearts melt – and we’re thrilled to officially share the news.

Our team recently conducted a gentle gender reveal for the newest member of our Blue Duiker family, and after careful observation (and a little patience), we’re happy to report that our dainty antelope calf is female! We’ve named her Holly, after the Cape Holly trees found in the misty forests of the Garden Route. Her proud mom, Fern, was named after the ferns carpeting the forest floors - a nod to the deep connection these creatures have with Africa’s indigenous woodlands.

A Rescue with Roots

Fern, along with a few other Blue Duikers, was recently donated to us by the provincial fauna and flora conservation body, Cape Nature. 

Shortly after arriving at Cango Wildlife Ranch, to everyone’s surprise and joy, Fern gave birth to little Holly. Born no bigger than a loaf of bread, she stayed by moms’ side for the first few weeks, following her instincts to remain tucked away in the brush while mom kept watch.

A Forest Jewel

The Blue Duiker (Philantomba monticola) is one of Africa’s smallest antelope species, standing just 30 to 40 cm tall and weighing a mere 3 to 5 kilograms as adults. Despite their name, they’re not actually blue – but their sleek, slate-toned coat can appear bluish in forest light. These tiny antelope are naturally shy and incredibly fast, darting through dense undergrowth in their native forest habitats.

They feed on fallen fruit, leaves, and flowers, often following the foraging trails of birds and monkeys to snack on what they drop. Blue Duikers are territorial, monogamous, and known for their distinctive “whistling” alarm calls.

A New Home, A New Chapter

Recently, Fern and Holly were moved from their temporary enclosure to their more permanent enclosure. During the move, our team was finally able to get a clear look at baby Holly, and confirm what we’d all been wondering – our little one is indeed a girl.

A Wild Welcome

We invite you to visit and witness this special mother-daughter duo for yourself. Blue Duikers may be small in stature, but their story is one of strength, resilience, and hope – a story we’re proud to share.

Welcome to the world, Holly. You’re already stealing hearts.

 

Further Reading

In Loving Memory of Prickles Wed June 11, 2025

Prickles came into our care as a tiny, wide-eyed orphan—rescued after his mother was tragically killed by dogs on a nearby farm. From that moment on, he became part of our family, wrapped in warmth and raised with the kind of love and devotion that only a little abandoned porcupine could inspire.

Read This Article
One Year Later Thu June 5, 2025

The Flood That Tested Us – and the Strength That Carried Us Through Exactly one year ago, on 4 June 2024, Cango Wildlife Ranch faced one of the most devastating natural events in our 40+ year history. Today, we pause—not to relive the hardship, but to reflect on the resilience, bravery, and unity that saw us through.

Read This Article
From Blueprints to Branches Thu June 5, 2025

How Retired Architect Joseph Zwick left a lasting mark at Cango Wildlife Ranch, Oudtshoorn — June 2025 Conservation is often powered by passionate volunteers — and every so often, one leaves behind a legacy that echoes long after they’ve gone. This past May, retired architect Joseph Otto Zwick spent three weeks enriching the lives of lemurs, aviary birds, and staff alike during his stay as part of the Wild Animal Volunteers program.

Read This Article