The blue duiker is a very important animal in Africa. It is used as food for many people and is also used in making traditional karosses. There is even a myth that ends with Tortoise turning Duiker's horns into a musical instrument. Because the blue duiker is so important, many people have hunted it, to a point where the population was in danger. Fortunately, the population is now strong, except in areas with a large amount of human activity. However, there is still concern about the blue duiker, and so it is on Article II of CITES, which means that any international import or export of blue duikers should be extensively monitored, but is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the Red List.
Because blue duikers are favored in many parts of Africa, husbandry, or breeding of the animals, has been attempted. It has not continued very far, but blue duikers of the fourth generation of human raising are nearly as domestic as goats, if nurtured by humans. Blue duikers are in many safari grounds, but otherwise are not much of a show/circus type of animal. There are some in captivity, however, they sometimes develop rumen hypomotility syndrome, or RHS. This is where lack of mobility causes a fatal build-up of the rumen. Blue duikers are very interesting and important animals, and are currently housed at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo.
Because blue duikers are favored in many parts of Africa, husbandry, or breeding of the animals, has been attempted. It has not continued very far, but blue duikers of the fourth generation of human raising are nearly as domestic as goats, if nurtured by humans. Blue duikers are in many safari grounds, but otherwise are not much of a show/circus type of animal. There are some in captivity, however, they sometimes develop rumen hypomotility syndrome, or RHS. This is where lack of mobility causes a fatal build-up of the rumen. Blue duikers are very interesting and important animals, and are currently housed at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo.