Jul 16, 2006 3:08 pm US/Central
CBS 2 At Brookfield Zoo: Klipspringer
by Susan Carlson
BROOKFIELD, Ill. (CBS) ―
Perhaps you've never heard of the antelope relative known as the klipspringer.
CBS 2's Susan Carlson found out about them with Andre Copeland at Brookfield Zoo recently.
SC: "The first thing you notice about them, Andre, is that they look like they're standing on their tippy-toes."
AC: "They actually are. These animals have very small hooves, and believe it or not, each one of their hooves is about the size of a dime. Now, the bottom of these hooves are very soft to give them a lot of traction. And these animals are so agile and have such small hooves, they can jump to a platform that is about the size of a silver dollar and stand on all fours."
SC: "Now they're part of the antelope family?"
AC: "Yes they are. You will find them in eastern and southern Africa, and they'll usually hang out by rock outcroppings."
SC: "Now here at Brookfield Zoo, you said you have a family right here of these animals."
AC: "We do. We have a male and female that are in this habitat right now. Seven-year-old Gulley and his girlfriend, 11-year-old Charlotte."
SC: "Now is it typical for them to live in a family environment like that?"
AC: "Well, they're usually monogamous, and sometimes their groups will swell to about four to six. Now, these other animals will be their offspring, and when they're in group situations, one of the offspring or one of the parents will act as a sentinel. If they see danger coming they let out a very loud shrill so that all can head for cover."
SC: "And you can meet them here at Brookfield Zoo.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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