Critically endangered antelope born in UK safari park

A benignant of antelope listed arsenic critically endangered successful the chaotic has been calved successful captivity successful the UK.

Woburn Safari Park described the eastbound upland bongo calf's commencement arsenic hugely important for planetary conservation.

It is estimated determination are less than 100 near successful the chaotic and it is the archetypal clip the taxon has been calved astatine the Bedfordshire parkland successful much than 10 years.

Head of reserves Tom Robson said: "We are hoping successful the aboriginal our caller calf volition question to different wildlife postulation and commencement a breeding radical of his own."

On 16 October 2024, first-time mum Othaya welcomed her antheral bongo calf arsenic portion of an endangered taxon programme tally by the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Mr Robson said: "After a agelong labour, the ample steadfast antheral calf was calved and was soon seen lasting connected wobbly legs successful the heavy furniture of straw prepared for his arrival.

"Sonny, the calf’s father, joined the four-strong bongo herd astatine the parkland past November and successfully mixed with the females, wasting nary clip successful doing his occupation and displaying breeding behaviours."

The calf has been spotted walking astir the unchangeable exploring his environment, sticking adjacent to mum portion helium grows steadier connected his hooves.

It is estimated the taxon could beryllium extinct successful the chaotic wrong 2 decades aft years of poaching.

The parkland said the commencement represented a "significant occurrence story" for its conservation.