Rare Mountain Bongo Welcomed at Chester Zoo

A baby mountain bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci) is causing a sensation in England. A female has been born at Chester Zoo, near Liverpool. The birth is all the more extraordinary as it is only the second mountain bongo to be born at the zoo in 15 years.

There are only a few dozen mountain bongos left in the wild

Like the birth of one of the world's rarest snakes in a U.S. zoo, the arrival of the female mountain bongo is welcome news. The species is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

And for good reason, there are only a handful of bongos left in the wild. At the last count, there were only 50 in the wild. They are victims of poaching for their skin and meat. Bongo trophies are also particularly sought after.

The mountain bongo is an African antelope native to Kenya. It is easily recognizable by the reddish color of its coat striped with vertical white bands. The stripes on its coat allow it to better camouflage itself in the forest.

The little mountain bongo is called Navari

Named Navari, the little female is an “incredibly valuable new arrival,” according to Mike Jordan, the zoo's director of plants and animals, which is part of an international mountain bongo breeding and conservation program.

“We have already been involved in a number of groundbreaking discoveries, such as finding these animals alive in Uganda for the first time. This has helped lay the foundations for integrating zoo conservation efforts with those in the wild, providing greater hope for the future survival of these incredible animals,” said Dr Nick Davis, Director General of Mammals.

“However, hope is certainly not lost” for this African antelope

Navari's birth is therefore a glimmer of hope for the survival of the species, but the fight is not yet won. Mike Jordan himself says he is “desperately sad” that the wild population of mountain bongos has been reduced to such small numbers.

In any case, “hope is certainly not lost,” reassures Mike Jordan. The zoo and experts are multiplying efforts to ensure a long-term future for the species.

The births of endangered animal species always delight carers and experts. We are thinking in particular of the little pygmy hippopotamus Moo Deng who is causing a sensation on the networks.

Additionally, endangered species are even more critical to keep alive after birth. Like the Minnesota Zoo with its Siberian tiger cubs, some zoos and animal parks prefer to wait a few months before announcing the good news.

Source: BBC