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.

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.

Learn more

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.