Our Eastern bongo herd has grown yet again! Eastern bongo Clover gave birth to a male calf overnight on Aug. 5. The calf is healthy and weighs 46 pounds.

This is the fifth bongo calf our Zoo has welcomed in the last 3 years – and Clover’s fourth calf with our adult male bongo Sebastian. This species is critically endangered due to habitat loss and poaching in their native range, so every birth is a safeguard against extinction. While every new baby at our Zoo is special, this birth was particularly important because of this conservation status.

We have quite a large herd now! The calf joins 2-year-old sister Ginger, 11-month-old brother Rio and 7-month-old half-sister Wubbie along with our adult females Denver and Amara.

The calf sports a red coloring, just like his mom and sisters, for now. Male bongos usually darken to a brown hue. Both Eastern bongo sexes have horns, although it’ll take some time for the calf to start growing horns.

Clover and Sebastian were matched by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan, a program that pairs animals within AZA-accredited zoos to ensure healthy, genetically diverse populations. Clover’s genetics are well-represented with so many babies over the years, so this mama will be placed on birth control for now.

The Zoo’s Eastern bongos, along with other animal residents like our Ankole-Watusi cattle are visible from our Cape to Cairo Express train, which takes guests through their habitat. Clover and the new calf are currently living behind-the-scenes, but they’ll be potentially visible from the train soon.

We’ll share more updates on this newbie soon!

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Special thanks to Flammio Financial Group, Stifel-Garvin Wealth Management Group, Artemis IT, and Jim and Darleen Barfield. Their generosity makes our work possible! 

Brevard Zoo is an independent, not-for-profit organization that receives no recurring government funding for our operating costs. Your generous support enables us to continue to serve our community and continue our vital animal wellness, education and conservation programs.