Found in interior and clearings of mature montane and submontane forest. On Mount Kilimanjaro, this duiker is reported as commonest between 1,300 and 2,700 m (Grimshaw et al. 1995). In the Udzungwa Mountains, Abbott's Duiker has been recorded as low as 300 m in Matundu Forest a large, lowland and semi-deciduous forest (F. Rovero, unpubl.), as well as on the highest peak (Mount Luhombero, 2,600 m; Rodgers and Swai 1988). It is known from disturbed and secondary montane forest and bamboo forest to 2,500 m and occasionally plateau grassland to 2,800 m on Mount Rungwe and in Livingstone-Kitulo in the Southern Highlands (T. Davenport and S. Machaga unpubl.).

Very little is known of Abbott's Duiker ecology and behaviour. This is an extremely secretive species, occurring at low densities and very rarely seen even where it is considered relatively common. Furthermore, it appears to be mainly nocturnal and crepuscular (F. Rovero unpubl.) and, as with most duiker species, probably prefers dense, understorey vegetation.

They have been seen browsing forest understorey leaves, and marshy vegetation in forest clearing; one individual was photographed with a frog in its mouth.

Abbott's Duikers are known to be predated by Common Leopards (Panthera pardus), and juveniles are probably predated by African Crowned Eagles (Stephanoetus coronatus) and pythons (Python spp). In the Udzungwa Mountains, the Lion (Panthera leo) and the Spotted Hyeana (Crocuta crocuta) are also potential predators (Rovero et al. 2013, Moyer unpubl. data).

Endemic to Tanzania,where it is found in a several montane and submontane forests in the north, east and south-west. It currently occurs in Mount Kilimanjaro, western Usambara, Rubeho, and Udzungwa mountains, Mt Rungwe, forests of the Southern Highlands (Livingstone, Irungu, Irenga, Ndukunduku, Madehani). Recent surveys have confirmed occurrence in nine discrete forests in Udzungwa, but failed to find them in Madehani (Rovero et al. 2013).

In the Eastern Arc it has probably disappeared from the Uluguru and East Usambara Mountains (Wilson 2001, Moyer 2003, Rovero et al. 2013). Its status in other Eastern Arc forests is unknown, however, recent surveys failed to detect its presence in North Pare, South Nguru and Uluguru Mountains (F. Rovero, unpubl. in Rovero et al. 2013). There are old records from the escarpment forests in eastern Njombe District (Swynnerton and Hayman 1951) but the status of these forests is uncertain and under investigation. Wilson (2001) noted that Abbott's Duiker was still present on the Poroto Mountains in 1958 but the status of that population is also uncertain. A small population is still present on Mount Rungwe and the Livingstone Forest within the new Kitulo National Park. Formerly recorded also from forest patches along the top of the Gregory Rift between Babati and Mbulu. The Udzungwa Mountains and Mount Kilimanjaro might hold the only two viable populations (Rovero et al. 2013).

Udzungwa Mountains National Park is patrolled by anti-poaching rangers, and zero utilization of animals is permitted. However, the capture of Abbott's Duiker in snares is still occurring in Mwanihana Forest within the Park. With the exception of Mount Kilimanjaro, where most of the forests were recently included in the National Park, there is no management in all the other sites.

Current work in the Southern Highlands employing hunters in environmental education initiatives in exchange for stopping hunting, has met with some success. It is too early to say if this will have a significant positive impact on Abbott's Duiker populations, although it may prove a valuable model for conservation at other sites and is being carried out alongside the use of Abbott's Duiker as a flagship species in village education programmes.

Major conservation management measures that would enhance the protection of Abbott's Duiker are the expansion of the Udzungwa Mountains N.P. to include important forests currently unprotected, in particular Uzungwa Scarp, Iyondo and Matundu. Also necessary is the inclusion of Mount Rungwe within the new Kitulo N.P. and greater law enforcement enacted in those areas that are currently not adequately protected (such as Southern Highland forests, Usambara and Uluguru Mountains). Critical forest connections, such as the degraded Bujingijila corridor linking Mount Rungwe to Livingstone forest in Kitulo, must be adequately protected.