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Eastern Bongo
Scientific nameTragelaphus eurycerus isaaci
Conservation status (IUCN)
Critically Endangered
The Eastern Bongo is an exquisite orange-red Antelope species. These large forest antelope, recognised for their colourful coat and spiralled horns, are one of Africa’s rarest mammals.
Dubbo
Visitor tips for Dubbo
See our breeding herd at Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo.
Fun facts about Bongo
1.2m
Eastern Bongos are around 1.2m tall at the shoulder
Their habitat
Rainforests and dense forests are their natural home.
400kg
Bongos can weigh up to 400kg!
Mating
Bongos reach sexual maturity at 2-3yrs.
Where they're found
Mountainous areas of central Kenya.
31st May
Is World Bongo Day.
Before they're born
Gestation is 9 months
1.2m
Eastern Bongos are around 1.2m tall at the shoulder
Their habitat
Rainforests and dense forests are their natural home.
400kg
Bongos can weigh up to 400kg!
Mating
Bongos reach sexual maturity at 2-3yrs.
Where they're found
Mountainous areas of central Kenya.
31st May
Is World Bongo Day.
Before they're born
Gestation is 9 months
Did you know?
We bet you didn't know these facts about the Eastern Bongo.
Scroll across and tap the icon to reveal bongo facts.
Spiralled horns
Both males and females grow spiraled horns that can reach up to 1m long.
Big eyes, big ears
A Bongo's large eyes and ears help them detect predators from afar.
White stripes
White stripes break up their body shape and help them hide amongst dense undergrowth.
A lion's prey
Lions, hyenas, and leopards all prey on the Bongo, but humans are the greatest threat to their survival.
Precious bongos
Every calf born is precious to their survival. Taronga has had 4 calves born at the Zoo.
Breeding programs
Taronga hosts the species breeding program for this animal through the Zoos and Aquarium Association (ZAA). This means we work with experts across Australasia to manage animal populations, not just to breed, but also support important husbandry knowledge, safeguarding this species for the future.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Critically Endangered
Bongo Conservation
Bongos on the Brink
Eastern Bongos are Critically Endangered, threatened mainly by hunting and habitat loss. Bongos are hunted for their meat, pelts, and as trophies. Logging of their forest habitat has fragmented the population and driven further declines. As they are related to domestic cattle, they are also susceptible to livestock disease which is believed to have driven historic declines.
Zoo-based breeding programs serve as insurance populations, ensuring that this rare subspecies cannot become globally extinct.
Zoo-based breeding programs serve as insurance populations, ensuring that this rare subspecies cannot become globally extinct.
Eastern Bongo deep dive
Discover more about what makes these bongos so beautiful!
Bongos are the third largest of the world’s antelope species, with male bulls weighing up to 400kg. They are part of the Bovine family, related to cattle and buffalo. Bongos are considered one of the most beautiful of Africa’s antelope for their striking chestnut coats, spiralled horns, and white stripes that aid in camouflage.
There are two subspecies of Bongo recognised – the Eastern Bongo in Kenya and the Western Bongo in Western and Central Africa. The Western Bongo has a larger population and is classed as Near Threatened.
These herbivorous antelopes eat a diet of leaves, grasses, shoots, and other vegetation. They have a long, prehensive which allows them pick up their food. Salt is an essential part of their diet. Bongos will often visit natural mineral licks at night to obtain salt.
Bongos are mostly nocturnal or crepuscular, though are sometimes active during the day. They are shy creatures, staying within the dense forest cover. When threatened, they will run at full speed through the forest with their heads tilted up and their horns flat against their back.
Bongo having a snack
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Conservation Partners
Taronga proudly supports the Mountain Bongo Project in their efforts to track and protect wild bongo in the forests of Kenya.
More to explore
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