A ZOO near Winchester is celebrating the birth of a floppy-eared critically endangered bongo.
The mountain bongo was born at Marwell Zoo in Colden Common on Monday, January 30 and is said to be doing well.
The sex of the new calf is currently unknown, with mum Canela being left to bond with her baby. The new mother is doing a great job according to staff.
Animal keeper, Rhianna Worsell, said: “Both mum, Canela, and her calf are doing really well. The calf has been seen up and about exploring its enclosure with Canela following close behind. Canela has been very attentive towards her calf.
“The gender is currently unknown as we will leave them together to bond without any disturbance from us.”
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Male and female bongos are the same chestnut-red colour but as they get older males get darker and females become paler.
In the wild, mountain bongos are found in four distinct areas of Kenya where they live in forests and highlands.
It’s anticipated that there are less than 100 of the animals left in the wild with populations continuing to decline. Conservation charity Marwell Wildlife therefore believes importance of captive mountain bongo breeding programmes has never been greater.
Mountain bongos prefer areas with tall shrubs such as forest edges and areas where the forest has been disturbed, causing new growth.
Calves are often left hidden in vegetation after birth to conceal them from predators. Mothers will return for them to suckle.
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Leopards are the main predators of bongos and when under threat they will run into the forest with their horns held against the back of their necks so they don’t get snagged on the undergrowth.
The species faces threats such as hunting with dogs and loss of habitat as well as the risk of diseases from domestic cattle.
Mountain bongos are predominantly nocturnal, resting from about 10.30am-4.30pm. The species has a life expectancy of up to 21 years.
For more go to marwell.org.uk.
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