Dublin Zoo is celebrating the birth of a female eastern bongo calf, a momentous occasion for conservation efforts of one of the world’s most endangered antelope species. Born on February 20 to first-time mother Annabel, the newborn represents a critical addition to a species with fewer than 100 individuals remaining in the wild.
The two-and-a-half-year-old mother, who arrived at Dublin Zoo from Belfast Zoo last August, surprised keepers by giving birth in an off-camera section of her habitat. Despite initial challenges that required bottle-feeding, the calf has since thrived, beginning to suckle naturally by February 25 and forming a strong bond with her mother.
“We’re absolutely delighted to announce the birth of this beautiful female eastern bongo calf,” said Dublin Zoo Team Leader Helen Clarke. “Her progress has been fantastic, and she’s already showing a love for basking in the sunshine beside her mother.”
Endemic to the mountain forests of Kenya, eastern bongos face severe threats from habitat destruction, illegal hunting, and increasing human-wildlife conflicts. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified the species as critically endangered, making each birth a significant event for global conservation efforts.
Dublin Zoo plays a crucial role in protecting these remarkable animals through its support of the Mountain Bongo Surveillance Project in Kenya. The project focuses on monitoring wild populations and working with local communities to safeguard the species’ future in its natural habitat.
The arrival brings Dublin Zoo’s eastern bongo herd to three, marking an important milestone in the zoo’s conservation programme. Keepers carefully monitored Annabel throughout her pregnancy, noting changes in her weight and physical condition that signaled the impending birth.
With its distinctive reddish-brown coat marked by striking white stripes, the eastern bongo is a remarkable creature that now has a new champion in this young calf. Visitors to Dublin Zoo can catch glimpses of the newest addition, particularly on sunny days when she enjoys basking alongside her mother.
This birth offers a glimmer of hope for a species teetering on the brink of extinction, highlighting the critical importance of conservation efforts in protecting the world’s most vulnerable wildlife.