New species record for Nairobi National Park – Red duiker!

Red duiker seen in Nairobi National Park. Credit Brian Finch

September 2009. Less than a few hundred metres from the entrance gate, a stocky antelope walked out of the forest and walked slowly across the road seemingly oblivious of me. I immediately recognised the animal as a Red Duiker, all reddish, unmarked, a huge rounded backside and small neckless head. The rump was a richer reddish-chestnut than the body.

I have certainly never encountered the species in the Park, and I have never heard of a sighting in the Park. I checked up in Williams National Parks book, and there was no record listed in there for Nairobi National Park. Has anyone even seen or heard of a record from here? It would seem unlikely that KWS would have included this species in their introductions scheme.

More about the Nairobi National Park.