For immediate release
Contact: Gina Stiles, 904-757-4463, ext. 210; cell 655-3632; stilesg@jacksonvillezoo.org

JACKSONVILLE ZOO AND GARDENS
ANNOUNCES BONGO ANTELOPE BIRTH

April 15, 2008 – Jacksonville, FL – The staff at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is celebrating the birth of a female Eastern Bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci) born on exhibit Sunday, April 13, 2008, at 3:30 p.m. The calf was born to Sequoia, a five-year-old female born at and owned by the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, and Abe, the father, who came here in 2007 from the Cape May County Park Zoo in New Jersey where he was born, and is on loan from the Los Angeles Zoo. Only 30 minutes after the birth, the calf was standing.  She weighed in at 43.1 pounds the following day. This is Sequoia’s first offspring and Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens’ eighth Eastern Bongo birth.  

A neonatal examination or “well baby” check was performed by the animal health staff on the calf to assess its health status on Monday. Both mother and calf are now doing well.  The calf will continue to be monitored closely by animal health and keeper staff.  Visitors can see the baby and its mother on exhibit at the Plains of East Africa. 

Zoos have been involved in the conservation of this rare antelope, which is native to the Mt. Kenya region of Africa, over the last 50 years in response to the animal's rapid population decline. Nearly four decades ago, US zoos began breeding the species in hopes of maintaining a genetically diverse population. In 2004, 20 captive-bred bongos –including one from the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens—were repatriated back to Africa.

The bongo is a species that has benefitted from zoo assisted reproduction technologies, such as artificial insemination and incubation of embryos. From implanting eland (a related species) cows with rare bongo embryos to transporting embryos to Kenya to implant in bongo females, this last chance to preserve genetic viability can provide a hedge against extinction.

For 90 years, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has been dedicated to inspiring the discovery and appreciation of wildlife through innovative experience in a caring environment.  Starting in 1914, with an animal collection that consisted of one red deer fawn, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has grown to house more than 1,500 rare and exotic animals and over 1,000 unique plant species.  The Zoo is a non-profit organization and is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).  Located on Jacksonville’s North side one mile off I-95, the Zoo is open year-round, 7 days a week, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Zoo is open until 6:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays from March to Labor Day.  For more information on the Zoo, log on to www.jacksonvillezoo.org

Photo Caption:  Bongo Antelope born at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

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