Rahul Somvanshi
At an English safari park, caretakers celebrate the arrival of a calf from the world’s most endangered antelope species, the eastern mountain bongo antelope. Othaya, a first-time mother, gave birth to a male calf on October 16th late in the afternoon, marking the first bongo calf born at Woburn Safari Park in over 10 years.
“Othaya, the bongo, successfully gave birth to her first calf on Wednesday afternoon. After a long labor, the large and healthy male calf was born and was soon seen standing on trembling legs, in the deep straw bed prepared for its arrival,” said Tom Robson, the park’s reserve director. “Both mother and calf are doing very well.”
Currently, both mother and newborn remain sheltered in the stable, where they share time in isolation to strengthen their bond in a safe and controlled environment. The calf, with its large ears and curious attitude, captured everyone’s attention while exploring its immediate surroundings and staying close to its mother. This close monitoring aims to ensure that the little one feeds properly and that Othaya recovers well from the birth.
Similar Posts:
Family Background and Conservation Significance
Othaya’s birth is particularly notable as she was born as part of a rare pair of twins, an unusual case among antelopes. She and her brother were the only known bongo twins in the United Kingdom at the time of their birth. Sonny (also known as Pesaka), the calf’s father, joined the park’s herd of four bongos last November and successfully mixed with the females, showing reproductive behaviors that led to this success.
The birth is part of a crucial breeding program coordinated by the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA). Once mature, the calf is expected to travel to another wildlife collection to start its own breeding group, supporting genetic diversity through coordinated management of captive breeding.
Species Status and Characteristics
The eastern mountain bongo antelope species has been hunted almost to extinction in the wild, with fewer than 100 individuals remaining. Its close cousin, the lowland bongo, is easily dispersed throughout the Congo region and southern West Africa and is not endangered. The mountain bongo, with its much darker red coat, is found only on Mount Kenya.
This antelope species lives in pairs or small family groups and is notable for its size, measuring up to 1.30 meters in height and 3.15 meters in length, weighing up to 400 kilos. Despite their large size, they can easily go unnoticed thanks to their coloration, which helps them camouflage perfectly in the jungle.
Future Outlook
It is estimated that without proper protections, the eastern mountain bongo could become extinct within two decades. However, there is hope, as several critically endangered species, such as the West African lion, have recovered on the continent in recent years. Once mother and baby are ready, they will reunite with the rest of the herd in the African Forest exhibit, where visitors will have the opportunity to see the calf in person.
