Eastern Bongo

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*This page is under renovation and all information may not be up-to-date or complete*

Description

Eastern bongos are the largest forest antelopes. They have a red-brown coat with 10-15 strips across their back and down their sides. Both sexes have 2.5-foot long, spiraled horns. Their horns are hollow and made of keratin.

Range & Habitat

Eastern bongos are only found in one remote part of central Kenya.

Behavior

Female bongos live in small herds of 6-8 individuals while adult males tend to be solitary. Occasionally, younger males will join with older males in temporary social groups. Males are not typically territorial, avoiding fights with visual displays. Visual displays may include neck bulging, eye rolling, and holding horns in vertical position while pacing back and forth in front of their opponent. Males seek out females during mating season. Unlike other types of antelope, male bongos do not restrict movement of the female herds during breeding.

Female bongos give birth to young in discreet calving grounds. Mothers hide their calves in the undergrowth of the forest to protect them from predators. Their mothers visit them for short periods to allow the calf to nurse before leaving them hidden. After the first week or two of life, the calf is strong enough to join the herd. The calf continues to nurse for about 6 months.

Diet

Bongos are herbivores, feeding on leaves and bark from bushes, grasses, flowers, and roots. To obtain the required salt in their diet, bongos will often visit natural mineral licks at night. They can also eat burned wood or trees struck by lightning to access dalt.

Conservation

The major threats to the bongo populations are habitat destruction, poaching and domestic livestock diseases.

Fun Facts

• The reddish pigment of their coat rubs off easily on vegetation. While this is beneficial for bongos finding each other, this also helps predators locate them.
• Bongos are the only antelopes in which both sexes have horns.

Virginia Zoo Animals

Female: Charlie (born: 12/26/2018)