A bongo baby was born at the
Louisville Zoo on January 11, 2007. The mother had recently
arrived from the Toledo Zoo.
The first-time mother and female calf are doing
well. This birth makes four bongos at the Zoo—three females and one male.
Through the years, there have been six live bongo births at the Zoo.
Bongos are the largest of the forest
antelopes, and are considered by many to be the most beautiful. In
addition to the deep chestnut color of their coats, bongos have bright white
stripes on their sides to help camouflage them from their enemies.
In 2000, the Association of Zoos
and Aquariums (AZA) developed a Species Survival
Plan (SSP) for bongos. These plans work to
improve the genetic diversity of managed animal populations. Through the
efforts of zoos in North America, a reintroduction of bongos to the
population in Kenya is being developed.
