| BONGOS IN AUSTRALIA
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| The Bongo is a strikingly beautiful antelope from Africa. Though not endangered , it is at risk as the population of humans grow, bringing pressure on the forests that the Bongo needs. The bush meat crisis also places pressure on the species. There are six (4.2.) bongos in the Australasian region, though a Population Management plan for the region has a target population of 32. There are three zoos that currently exhibit the species, Adelaide (1.0.), Taronga(2.1.) and Western Plains(1.1.). | ||
| Taronga. The original pair at Taronga, male, Nambala and female, Nyeri, arrived from Cincinatti Zoo in 1996. This pair have successfully bred three times, a female, Shani in 1999 and a male, Ndugu in 2000. The third cald was born in February 2003, another male, Zawadi They can be seen in the African exhibit of the zoo, next to the pygmy hippos. In 2002 the young male was sent to Adelaide zoo. |
Western Plains. Another pair from San Diego Zoo was sent to Western Plains Zoo in 1997. Unfortunately the female of this pair died soon after, leaving the male, Marraquie on his own. Thanks to a donation of $250 000 from The Zoo Friends association of New South wales, Western Plains is upgrading its Bongo exhibit to allow it to keep several individuals, including Shani who will arrive to breed with the existing male. The new exhibit will enable people to see the bongos in a partially forested area from several vantage points. Large stands of bamboo and other shrubs will be planted to provide the bongos with the dense cover that they require for privacy and security. |
Adelaide. Adelaide Zoo received the male Ndugu on . They are seeking a female to mate with him. |
 Pictures taken at Taronga Zoo, 26 March 2003. Female, Nyeri and calf, Zawadi | ||
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