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Welcome baby Eggbert the bongo!

29 April 2010

Belfast zoo has welcomed its first baby of the season, an Eastern bongo named Eggbert! Eggbert was born to mum Fern and dad Embu. The Eastern bongo is critically endangered and has a high risk of extinction in the wild.

Zoo manager Mark Challis said,"Belfast Zoo is part of the European Endangered Species Programme for Eastern bongos. There are less than 140 bongos left in the wild, and this number is spread over four isolated populations. We are delighted to have contributed towards their conservation. We feel privileged to look after such an endangered animal."

Eastern bongos are forest antelopes. They have shorter legs than other African antelopes but their body shape and size allows them to move quickly through the forest. Unlike most antelopes, both male and female bongos have long spiralling horns.

Belfast Zoo hopes that Eggbert is the first of many babies to be born this season.

You can help contribute to the care of these endangered animals by adopting an Eastern bongo at Belfast Zoo.

Find out more about animal adoption