Critically endangered antelopes born at Florida zoo
(Photo: Kori Odum, Jacksonville Zoo)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has a bongo birth announcement: Two female calves of a critically endangered antelope species are ready for their close-ups.
The stepsisters — one born Dec. 17 and the other Jan. 8 — are the first offspring for Sienna and Shimba, as well as the sire, Mickey, the zoo said. They're eastern bongos — a species that's critically endangered due to deforestation and hunting. The zoo said there are only an estimated 47 to 140 bongos left in their natural habitat.
RELATED: Great white shark bites boat in Gulf waters off Tampa Bay
"Since they live in dense forests, commercial logging has taken its toll on their population," keepers wrote on the zoo's website. "Their ivory-tipped horns also make bongos susceptible to poaching and hunting by tourist safaris."
Both mothers also were born at the zoo, in 2018. Sienna delivered first, a calf that weighed 42 pounds at a Dec. 22 exam. Shimba followed this month with a calf weighing 38 pounds.
(Photo: Janel J., Jacksonville Zoo)
"Our animal care team is very excited with how well the first-time mothers are doing. This is great news for our herd and we look forward to more offspring in the future to enhance conservation efforts for this species," Assistant Curator of Mammals Corey Neatrour said in a statement.
Mickey was transferred to Jacksonville in October 2019 from the Cape May County Zoo, based on breeding recommendations through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Bongo Species Survival Plan, the statement said.
RELATED: Researchers discover new whale species in the Gulf of Mexico
Bongo are the largest African forest antelope and are known for their striking appearance. They are found throughout central and west Kenya, however eastern bongo, also known as mountain bongo, are only found in a small mountain region in central Kenya. Both males and females have thick, slightly-spiraled horns. They have whitish-colored stripes and a red coat, with females usually lighter in color than males.
Visitors to the Jacksonville zoo can see the calves and their parents in their exhibit along the Africa loop.
Their names will be decided through an online auction at the Zoo’s annual Toast to Conservation, which will take place virtually Friday.
Orlando weather: Scattered storms, temps heat up for back-to-school
Scattered Sunday storms will calm by sunset, paving the way for a drier, smoother back-to-school week across Central Florida with only spotty afternoon showers. A building ridge of high pressure will lower rain chances through the week while pushing temperatures into the mid-to-upper 90s.
FWC sets 2026 Gulf gag grouper recreational fishing season dates
The recreational gag grouper season starts September 1 with strict catch limits. Here's what anglers need to know before getting out on the water.
Woman survives alligator bite in Marion County Silver River; arm amputated, family says
A woman is recovering at home in good spirits after suffering a traumatic right-arm amputation in an alligator attack on the Silver River. Her family credits a quick-thinking boater with saving her life. The incident occurred Saturday afternoon, Aug. 8, while the victim and a group of swimmers were in the springs at Silver River in Marion County.
Woman's arm amputated after surviving alligator bite in Marion County Silver River, family says
A woman is recovering at home after losing her right arm in an alligator attack on the Silver River on Saturday.
Wendy's loses status as second-largest burger chain after 6-year run
Burger King's same-store sales jumped 8.5% while Wendy's reported a 7% decline in its sixth straight quarter of contraction