A Rare and Remarkable Arrival at Woburn Safari Park

Woburn Safari Park welcomed the birth of a female Eastern mountain bongo calf, a rare and significant milestone for one of the world’s most endangered large mammals. With fewer than 100 individuals remaining in the wild, found only in isolated pockets of Kenya’s mountain forests, this birth represents a vital lifeline for a species on the brink of extinction.

A promising sign for the future

Eastern mountain bongo have faced devastating declines due to habitat loss, poaching and disease, making every birth in managed care a vital boost for the species. Born at 8:15am on 3rd October, this calf is the first female born at Woburn Safari Park in over a decade, a promising sign for the future. She’s already seen bonding with her older siblings, Djembe and Ziggy.

Due to Othaya’s previous challenges during Djembe’s birth, Head of Section, Tom Robson monitored her closely throughout the night. Tom said: “This is Othaya’s second calf, and she struggled giving birth to her first, so we checked her frequently throughout the night. Thankfully all was well and we’re happy to see a strong-looking calf. Othaya struggled to feed the new arrival at first, so we provided a supplement, but now mum is doing a great job. We’re all very pleased, as it’s a female calf she will hopefully go on to breed in the future and play a part in the survival of the bongo species.”

With her vivid chestnut coat marked by white stripes, the young bongo calf showcases the species’ natural camouflage, a striking adaptation that helps them vanish into the dappled light of forest understorey. Her oversized ears, finely tuned to detect the faintest rustle or call, are not only visually distinctive but vital for survival in dense, echoing terrain. These features, while visually arresting to visitors, are evolutionary tools honed for life in one of Africa’s most elusive habitats.

Witness this extraordinary moment in person.

Visit Woburn Safari Park and see the bongo family as you drive through the African Forest reserve in the Road Safari.