Contact: Kaki Heiligenthal

225.775.3877 ext. 201 (o)

512.627.5254 (c)
kheiligenthal@brzoo.org


BRECs Baton Rouge Zoo Announces New Baby Bongo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 5, 2013


BATON ROUGE, LA. BRECs Baton Rouge Zoo is excited to announce to arrival of a new female
bongo calf. Born at the Zoo during the early morning hours of Friday, November 29, 2013, the calf,
mother and father are now on exhibit and doing well. The calf represents the third bongo born at the
Baton Rouge Zoo.
The calfs mother was just brought to the Baton Rouge Zoo in spring 2012 as part of an Association of
Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan breeding recommendation. The SSP is a program
through the AZA that the Baton Rouge Zoo participates in, as well as all accredited zoos across the
country. The goal of the SSP is to maintain a healthy population among endangered animals that is both
genetically diverse and demographically stable.
Native to the lowland forests of Africa, the bongo is threatened by both hunting and habitat loss. The
bongo population in the wild has recently declined enough for it to be listed as a Near Threatened species
by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List. Although
bongos still have a relatively wide distribution in Central Africa, populations are becoming more and more
isolated.
The bongo is a large and heavy-bodied antelope with a short and glossy chestnut colored coat, patterned
with 10 to 15 vertical white stripes. Another notable feature of the bongo are its large horns that can grow
to be up to 40 inches long. Bongo calves grow relatively fast and their horns can begin to show by the
time they are three to four months old.
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BRECs Baton Rouge Zoo Announces New Baby Bongo (cont.)
About BRECs Baton Rouge Zoo
BRECs Baton Rouge Zoo is a place where people connect with animals, including tigers, giraffes, rhinos
and alligators. The world-class Realm of the Tiger, Flamingo Cove, Giants of the Islands, Safari
Playground, L'aquarium de Louisiane, Parrot Paradise and KidsZoo exhibits offer fun and education for all
ages. The Baton Rouge Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), a distinction
reserved for only the top 10% of zoos in the nation. For more information, please visit www.brzoo.org.

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