Bongo calf born in zoo

DUBLIN Zoo is celebrating the birth of a healthy eastern bongo calf, a species classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Born on January 5, the new addition weighs 15kgs and is the offspring of mother Nanyuki and father Hodari.

The youngster brings Dublin Zoo’s bongo herd to five and is a significant birth for both the zoo team and the international breeding programme.

These large, distinctively-marked antelopes can now only be found in one remote area of Kenya. 

Bongos have large ears, which help them hear approaching predators in the wild, such as leopards and hyenas.

This is a particularly significant birth for Dublin Zoo, as only between 75 and 140 eastern bongos exist in the wild. A population in rapid decline, the eastern bongo is commonly hunted in the wild for its horns and meat.

Team leader Helen Clarke-Bennet announced the birth last week.

“It’s Dublin Zoo’s second bongo calf in almost two years,” she said.

“The calf has been well-received by its mother and grandmother Kimba has also taken a shine to the family’s latest addition.

“We’re pleased to see the new arrival is feeding well and has adapted seamlessly to its newfound surroundings.”

The gender of the calf is yet to be confirmed as new-borns tend to be quite shy and their natural instinct is to take cover as a way to protect themselves. Visitors to Dublin Zoo will need to be patient when trying to spot the bongo calf.

Those who would like to see the latest addition to the zoo family can do so by visiting the Bongo Habitat in the African Plains. Dublin Zoo is open seven days a week from 9.30am to 4.30pm. For further information, visit www.facebook.com/dublinzoo or www.dublinzoo.ie.