Baby Bongo Arrives At Chester Zoo

Fair do’s, hardly a week goes by without announcing a new baby arrival at Chester Zoo. As I’ve said before, there must be something in the water, or in the air at Chester Zoo. Or, more likely, it is the excellent and expert work carried out by the staff at Chester Zoo. And Mother Nature as well of course. This week’s latest new baby announcement – a new baby Bongo arrives into the world.

Baby Bongo Arrives At Chester Zoo

On a scale of 1 to 10 on the “Cute-ometer” – young Baby Bongo must score at least an 11. What do you think?

As you can see from the photograph a baby Bongo is a fine looking animal, dripping from the tips of his ears to his toes(do they have toes?) with cutability. But apart from the cutability, what is a Bongo?

What Is A Bongo?

A Bongo, as it happens, is the rarest, large mammal in Africa. To be more precise, it is the world’s largest forest dwelling antelope.

Not only that, it is a critically endangered mammal. So, when Mum, Safi, gave birth on 4th September (after a nine month long gestation), huge celebrations may well have been the order of the day amongst Chester Zoo staff.

It is the first baby Bongo to be born at Chester Zoo for 11 years. The birth has been heralded by Zoo experts as “incredibly important”. And rightly so.

All births at Chester Zoo are always widely welcomed and trumpeted. But the birth of this baby Bongo is so very significant. It is estimated that there are as few as 70, yes that’s right……just 70, Bongos remaining in their native East Africa.

You will see more than 70 people “early doors” on a Friday in The Cottage!!! So, only 70 in the whole of it’s natural home of Kenya is incredible.

Baby Bongo – Critically Endangered

It is little wonder the Bongo has been listed as critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). As a result of these severely low numbers, the Bongo faces a very high risk of becoming extinct in the wild.

So, it is understandably a huge achievement by Chester Zoo…..and Mum, Dad and Baby Bongo as well of course.

Also, like so many critically endangered animals, the Bongo’s population has been decimated by those “brave and courageous little soldiers” boldly hiding behind their high powered rifles – human hunters. Or, to refer to them by their more accurate label – pond life.

I’m not sure if baby Bongo is a boy or a girl. If it’s a boy I wonder if they will name him “Billy” or “Bobby”? Have you any ideas of a suitable name?

If so, answers on a postcard to:

Mr and Mrs Bongo; c/o Chester Zoo; Upton-By-Chester; Chester; CH2 1EU

Endangered Species Breeding Programme

Fortunately for us and these critically endangered animals, we have Chester Zoo. In partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester Zoo is working hard to boost the numbers of eastern Bongos in other zoos around the world.

As with other species, continuing the excellent work already carried out.

Let us say yet again – a big thanks to Chester Zoo for their marvellous work. Also, a big welcome and a “Chester Lifestyle Hello” to baby Bongo. I look forward to seeing you out and about in your new home.

Chester Zoo

Great work yet again by Chester Zoo. The announcement of our new baby Bongo is the latest in a long line of recent new baby births. I’ve written many an article now on our world famous attraction. You can see them all HERE.

The importance of Chester Zoo cannot be understated. So, in recognition, as well as their own category, they also have their own, special page. You will find this page HERE.

Places To Visit In Chester

Chester Zoo is one of the many attractions to be found in Chester. There are so many places to visit in Chester in case you didn’t know already. If you are looking for a few ideas, then have a look over HERE.