Animal Information

Bongo

Tragelaphus eurycerus

Bongo

Range

West Africa and Zaire to southern Sudan. Some small populations still reside in Kenya and the Congo.

Habitat

Lowland forests, residing amongst ground level shrubs and bushes in West Africa and in thick forests and bamboo zones in E. Africa.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The largest and one of the most colorful of the African antelopes. Males and females both sport long spiraling horns covered by a blackish brown keratinous sheath.

Dietary Classification

Diet in the Zoo: Commercially prepared food

Diet in the Wild: Grasses and browse, including leaves, flowers, twigs, and thistles. Their preference is young leaves that are high in protein and low in fiber. They enjoy natural salt licks and are known to eat burned wood as a means of getting salt or minerals.

Life Span

An average of 20 years

Behavior/Adaptations

* Bongos are the only forest antelope to form herds (which can range from 5 or 6 up to 50).
* Bongos are quite reclusive creatures which has made them difficult to study. Relatively little is known about their activities.
* Bongos do not have any relationship to the bongo drum. The drum is believed to be of Cuban origin from the Abakua Drum trio known as the “bonko”.
 

Status

Not threatened. Populations are in decline however, due to habitat destruction, poaching and illegal trapping.

Classification

Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species
Animalia Chordata Mammalia Artiodactyla Bovidae Tragelaphus eurycerus