This cute little one is a fantastic sign of optimism for this critically endangered species.
A zoo animal’s birth is usually a joyous occasion, especially if the animal is a member of an endangered species. Every new birth is an essential step to guaranteeing the species’ survival.
Meanwhile, a lovely Eastern Bongo, a critically endangered species, is being welcomed into the world in one zoo. A female eastern bongo was born there on March 5 to a mother named Uzuri, according to a recent news release from Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, Michigan. The baby calf is the seventh eastern bongo born in the zoo overall and the second since 2014.
The eastern bongo antelope species is found only in Sub-Saharan Africa. With their long, spiraling horns and distinctive white-yellow stripes, they are the third-largest antelope in the world.
The IUCN states that the species is critically endangered and that deforestation and poaching pose a threat to it in the wild. Eastern bongos are become harder to find in the wild than in zoos.
Because of their rarity, the zoo views the birth as positive news for this incredibly vulnerable species. Dr. Ronan Eustace, director of animal health at Potter Park Zoo, stated in a news release that “Bongo are critically endangered, therefore each birth is spectacular. The mother has previously successfully raised calves, and the calf appears to be in good condition.
There are about 300 eastern bongos living in AZA-accredited zoos in the US, and Potter Park Zoo argues that breeding programs like theirs “play a critical role in preventing their extinction.”
An uncommon and beautiful species is the eastern bongo. Eastern bongos both male and female acquire their characteristic horns, unlike other antelope species. According to the zoo, they are supposed to have amazing hearing.
Given that Bella, one of the zoo’s oldest eastern bongos, passed away just this week, the newest arrival is surely a somber event. Bella was 14 and a half years old when she went away, which is much older than the typical lifespan of a bongo maintained in human care.
This information comes from a Facebook post. According to specialists in animal care, the young calf is growing and doing well as she spends time indoors with her mother and develops a close bond with her. Although the baby is now tucked away, visitors to the zoo will soon be able to see her.
They express their hope that, in light of the joyful news of her birth, “more people will act in protecting and conserving endangered species like the eastern bongo.”
Such an adorable glimmer of hope for this critically endangered species—this adorable newborn eastern bongo!
