Critically Endangered Newborn Antelope Sets Feet in a Polish Zoo

The arrival of the critically endangered newborn antelope in the Polish zoo has created waves of happiness among conservationists. A mountain bongo was born in Warsaw Zoo in Poland two weeks ago.

The calf is now enjoying its first walks with its mother after a cold spell that kept it indoors. Mountain bongos, the largest among African forest antelopes are one of the most critically endangered species, with 70-80 left in the wild. 

The species have a strikingly beautiful appearance because of their reddish-brown coat with vertical white stripes and longhorns. 

Also Read: Florida Zoo Celebrates Birth of Two Calves of an Endangered Antelope Species

They can be quite difficult to breed because of their character. Sylwia Grodkowska, head of the ungulates section at the Warsaw zoo said that they are the only ones to keep them in the pavilion open to visitors because they are very timid. 

The arrival of the critically endangered newborn antelope in the Polish zoo has created waves of happiness among conservationists | Image: Kori Odum

The baby was born at night to a first-time mother and the zoo employees found the duo together when they came back to work in the morning. Due to the cold weather, it had to stay indoors until recently. 

The decline of the mountain bongo is a result of habitat loss and illegal hunting with dogs. Disease (such as rinderpest) that can be caught from grazing cattle is also concluded to have been a significant reason for their historic decline.

Via: The Hindu