Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci
The eastern bongo – also known as the mountain bongo – is one of two subspecies of bongo, a type of forest antelope. They have a chestnut brown coat with a series of white vertical stripes. Both the males and females have long twisted horns. Females are usually more brightly coloured than males.
Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci
The eastern bongo – also known as the mountain bongo – is one of two subspecies of bongo, a type of forest antelope. They have a chestnut brown coat with a series of white vertical stripes. Both the males and females have long twisted horns. Females are usually more brightly coloured than males.
The only place in the world that eastern bongos live in the wild is in mountainous forests in Central Kenya.
Eastern bongos live approximately 20 years in zoos. Information about their life expectancy in the wild is less well known but is likely less than this.
Eastern bongos are herbivores (plant-eaters). They eat leaves, shoots, grasses, flowers and rotting bark from trees.
Herd
African Plains
The eastern bongo’s closest relative is the only other subspecies of bongo, the lowland or western bongo.
Mammalia
Cetartiodactyla
The bongo is the largest and heaviest forest antelope.
In order to keep their horns out of the way while running through the dense forest, eastern bongos are known to tilt their chins up, causing their horns to lie against their back. Over time this causes them to have bald patches on their back.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, there is estimated to be 70-80 eastern bongos left in the wild.
Females can sometimes be found in small groups. When young males mature, they leave the female group and join smaller male groups. Older males remain solitary (live alone). Eastern bongos are very shy and timid. They are easily frightened.
Calf
9 months
1
Approximately 15-20 kg
Up to 1.4m shoulder height; approximately 250-450 kg
Eastern bongos are classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to the destruction of their forest habitat, illegal hunting and disease.
70-80 (decreasing)
Habitat loss because of illegal logging increased hunting and disease.
Dublin Zoo supports the Bongo Surveillance Project in Kenya, which monitors the eastern bongo population and works with the local community in their area to protect the eastern bongo’s forest habitat and promote conservation. Dublin Zoo also participates in the European Endangered Species Breeding Programme for eastern bongos.
The eastern bongo is one of two subspecies of bongo, a type of forest antelope.
The eastern bongo is an ungulate, which means animals that have hooves. They are even-toed, meaning they have two toes/hooves on each foot. Other even-toed ungulates include deer, giraffes, sheep, goats and cattle.
There are only an estimated 70-80 eastern Bongos left in the wild.
Eastern bongos are classified as Critically Endangered due to the destruction of their forest habitat, illegal hunting and disease. Their population numbers have declined dramatically in recent years.
Their striped coat helps to camouflage them from predators in their forest habitat by breaking up their outline in the steaks of sunlight through the trees. They also help them find each other in the dense forest.
Update your browser to view this website correctly. Update my browser now
