Scientific Classification

Common Name

bongo antelope

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Mammalia

Order

Artiodactyla

Family

Bovidae

Genus Species

Tragelaphus (antelope) eurycerus (eurus: broad, widespread; keras: the horn of a animal)

Fast Facts

Description

Large colorful antelope with large ears, bright chestnut to dark brown with vivid white-yellow markings and stripes; spiral-horned antelope

Size

110 to 130 cm (44 to 54 in.)
Male: Males slightly larger than females

Weight

Male:  240 to 405 kg (528 to 891 lbs.)
Female:  210 to 253 kg (462 to 557 lbs.)

Diet

Browsers; eat leaves, flowers, twigs, thistles, garden produce and cereals

Incubation

Approximately 285 days (9.5 months)

Sexual Maturity

24 to 27 months

Life Span

Up to 19 years observed in zoos; unknown in the natural environment

Range

Central Africa

Habitat

Lowland and montane (mountain) forests

Population

Global: No data

Status 

IUCN: Near threatened
CITES: Appendix III
USFWS: Not listed
AZA: SSP-Participant

Fun Facts

1. Bongos are the largest forest antelope.
2. Native people believe if they eat or touch bongo they will have spasms similar to epileptic seizures. Because of this superstition, bongos have been relatively unharmed in their native ranges.
3. Population counts are sketchy as these are very secretive animals. Even researchers who study these antelope often do not see them. Much of what is known about them comes from captive animals and studies at salt licks on the edge of forests.
4. They have been known to eat burned wood after lightning storms. This behavior is believed to be a means of getting salt or minerals.
5. Bongos are great high jumpers but prefer to go under or around obstacles.
6. Bongos use their prehensile tongue to grasp the vegetation they feed on.
7. In order to swiftly maneuver through the dense forest vegetation, bongos tilt their chin up, causing their horns to lie flat against their back. They take this position so frequently older bongos often have bald spots on their back from the tips of their horns rubbing away the fur.
   
    

Ecology and Conservation

The ecological importance of bongos is not fully understood. Since they are so secretive, scientists often find it difficult to gather data on them. As browsers they are important to the habitats they live in by keeping vegetation from becoming overgrown. They also serve as prey items for leopards and sometimes hyenas. Since these animals are so dependent on dense vegetation, habitat destruction is their greatest threat.

Busch Gardens continues support of the Bongo Antelope Field Study directed by Paul Elkan in the Nouabale-Ndoki National Park in Africa's northern Congo. Nouabale-Ndoki, one of the least disturbed forests remaining in tropical Africa, offers a wealth of research opportunities on dozens of species. Among the most critical of those species is the bongo, which was only discovered by modern biologists in the 1950s. In the 40 years since this fascinating species' discovery, researchers have raced against time collecting data to better understand its biology and habitat needs.

Busch Gardens' zookeepers contribute to the study by monitoring the park's herd and sharing data with field scientists in Africa via the Internet. Long-term observations by Busch Gardens' zoo keepers significantly contributed to the design of a chart used to forecast the age and weight of this species based on the length and twists of their horns and size and shape of their bodies. Project Director Paul Elkin recently visited Busch Gardens to assist zookeepers in conducting infrared tests to better observe this elusive species at night. Busch Gardens is in the process of designing a program to send a zookeeper working with the park's herd in Africa to participate in the Nouabale-Ndoki field study.

In a cooperative effort with other AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) institutions, Busch Gardens closely manages bongo populations through a program called the Species Survival Plan (SSP), which works to improve the genetic diversity of managed animal populations.

Bibliography

Estes, Richard D. The Behavior Guide to African Mammals: Including Hoofed Mammals, Carnivores, Primates. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press., 1991.

Estes, Richard. The Safari Companion. Vermont: Chelsea Green Publishing Co., 1993.

Kingdon, Jonathan. East African Mammals Vol. IIIC. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press., 1982.

Nowak, Ronald M. Walker's Mammals of the World Fifth Ed. Vol. II. Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press., 1991.

Spinage, C.A. The Natural History of Antelopes. New York: Facts on File Publications, 1986.