Baby dik-dik has to grow up quick quick - PHOTO

A tiny antelope dik-dik was thrust into the position of carer for her younger brother after they were both rejected by their mother.Eight-month-old Aluna now protects her sibling Neo, who has just been born at Chester Zoo.‘Dik-dik mothers do not always take to their young and unfortunately Neo and his mum didn’t quite hit it off,’ said keeper Claire McPhee.‘But happily his not-so-big sister Aluna, who herself didn’t manage to bond with her mum, is drawing on her own experiences and is being a real calming influence on him.’Shy Neo, who is only 20cm-tall, gets nervous around fellow Kirk’s dik-diks, but his older sister is helping him settle.Ms McPhee added: ‘Aluna is dishing out lots of special care and attention and it’s helping him integrate into the wider family group.’The antelopes, which can be found in eastern and southern Africa, get their unusual name from the sound they allegedly make when they run from danger.The small animals usually only grow to a maximum of 40cm.(metro.co.uk)ANN.Az