'Abbott's Duiker' (''Cephalophus spadix'' also known as 'Minde' in
Swahili) is a large forest dwelling
Duiker (small
antelope) found only in a couple of scattered enclaves in
Tanzania. It is believed by some to be a subspecies of the
Yellow-backed Duiker.
Abbott's Duikers stand around 65 centimetres tall at the shoulder and weigh approximately 55 kilograms. Abbott's Duikers have a dark brown coat which is lighter on the underside. There is a large red tuft on the forehead. Abbott's Duiker have long thin horns of 8 to 12 centimetres.
Abbott's Duiker live in mainly in wet
forests and
swamps at between 1,700 and 2,700 metres above
sea level, where they eat mainly
fruit and possibly other plant matter. Abbott's Duiker are
nocturnal, spending the days at rest in thickets. They form regular pathways through the undergrowth, making them relatively easy to find. If threatened they generally try to run, though they have been known to kill pursuing dogs when left with no escape route.
There are estimated to be around 2,500 Abbott's Duiker left in the world. They are threatened by habitat destruction and
hunting.
References
★ Listed as Vulnerable (VU C1 v2.3)