A zoo has proudly welcomed a critically endangered mountain bongo calf, thanks to its successful breeding program. The male calf was born at Marwell Zoo near Winchester on September 4. Keepers at the Hampshire zoo have noted that he has been “confident, energetic, and adventurous” since his arrival.
With only about 100 mountain bongos remaining in the wild, the species faces significant threats from hunting, habitat loss, and diseases transmitted by domestic cattle.
Animal keeper Rhiannon Wolff remarked that the calf “appears quite feisty” and has been eagerly exploring his surroundings more each day. She emphasized, “This calf is a vital part of the breeding initiative and the European Ex-situ Programme aimed at ensuring the survival of this species.”
Currently, the calf spends most of his time in his bed stall, where his mother, Jumapili, checks in on him and feeds him throughout the day. As he matures, he will grow into his large floppy ears. All bongo calves start life with a chestnut coat adorned with thin white stripes, and their primary predator is the leopard. When threatened, bongos run into the forest with their horns tucked against their necks to avoid getting caught in the underbrush.
