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Microlivestock Little-Known Small Animals with a Promising Economic Future (1991) / Chapter Skim
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31 Duikers
Pages 327-336

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From page 327...
... They are already being raised in captivity in the United States, Zimbabwe,2 Togo, 3 and Gabon. Researchers in Nigeria have bred blue duikers to the fourth generation and found that, if the animals were first handled by people while young, they remained docile.4 Even blue duikers caught in the wild tame quickly if they are very young, but by the time they reach 3.5 months, they become barely tolerant of man's presence.
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From page 328...
... Females are slightly larger than males, but the sexes look alike. In most species, both sexes bear small straight horns that project backward from the skull, frequently hidden in a long tuft of hair.
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From page 329...
... Also, a startled animal freezes, thereby facilitating its capture. Moving easily through dense vegetation, the head carried low, these tiny animals use regular runs.
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From page 330...
... (A.R. Devez, CNRS, Mission Biologique au Gabon)
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From page 331...
... Based on their own experiences, researchers at Pennsylvania State University in the United States report that blue duikers raised in captivity are easy to maintain, reproduce well, and are not fussy about 5 Information from R Cowan.
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From page 332...
... The best long-term solution is to organize duiker husbandry. Learning to rear duikers would benefit people throughout Africa.
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From page 333...
... The ability to forage in undergrowth where other domestic livestock do not thrive makes duikers potential livestock for tropical forest and bushland regions. They can be raised for meat without cutting the trees or bushes to create pastures.
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From page 334...
... In addition, assessments of diet, growth rates, behavior in captivity, reproductive rate, adaptability, and future potential can be made. Management considerations include clipping horns, trimming hooves, and controlling lice and fleas.
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From page 336...
... ·~ ~r Klipspringer .(
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Key Terms

  • blue duikers
  • duiker meat
  • fourth generation
  • bred blue
  • rearing duikers

  • african countries
  • hunting pressures
  • duiker species
  • west africa
  • slightly larger

  • tiny animals
  • wild populations
  • duiker husbandry
  • dense vegetation
  • straight horns

  • clipping horns
  • makes duikers
  • comparative studies
  • sophisticated management
  • accidentally leaping

  • urban markets
  • probably require
  • mission biologique
  • vegetation hence
  • onto fences

  • readily accept
  • duikers tend
  • throughout africa
  • eating fish
  • management considerations


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