Latest news with #TomRobson
BBC News
19-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Second endangered bongo calf born at Woburn Safari Park
The birth of a second mountain bongo in captivity in the UK has been described by zookeepers as "a major success" for the breeding Safari Park in Bedfordshire said the male calf's arrival was vital for the breed's future and followed the birth of another male there in October after a six-year breeding type of antelope is listed as critically endangered in the wild, where it is believed fewer than 80 park said the newest calf needed physiotherapy shortly after his birth on 5 May to strengthen his hips and rear legs but was now doing well. The calves' mothers Odongo and Othaya were born at Woburn in August 2014 and are one of only two surviving pairs of bongo twins ever recorded in said they were inseparable and continued to support each other as two young calves have already formed a bond, with nose-to-nose greetings and close interactions head of section Tom Robson said: "After a six-year breeding gap, two healthy calves were born within months of each other, marking a major success for the captive breeding programme."As a critically endangered species, every birth plays a vital role in securing the future of these beautiful animals."The mountain bongo is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
19-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Endangered baby bongo born at UK safari park
Check out these pictures of an adorable baby bongo who was born at Worburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire earlier this month. The currently unnamed male calf has been seen dashing around its outdoor enclosure despite needing special treatment on his hips and rear legs shortly after birth. The physiotherapy seems to have worked well and the new calf is now said to be integrating with the rest of the herd. Under the overall care of the keepers at Woburn, the newborn is being fed and looked after by his mother Odongo and his father Sonny. The eastern mountain bongo's birth is great news for the species as it is classified as as critically endangered. Breeding programmes in zoos and safari parks like Woburn are said to be playing a key role in conservation male calf was born last October - they named him Djembe. He is the new calf's cousin as their mothers are twin have said the two youngsters have already formed a bond with nose-to-nose head of section Tom Robson said that after a six-year breeding gap "two healthy calves were born within months of each other, marking a major success" for the team."As a critically endangered species, every birth plays a vital role in securing the future of these beautiful animals."Odongo has embraced motherhood beautifully, it's just wonderful to see her offering her newborn the strongest possible start in life." What is a bongo? Bongos are a large species of African forest antelope, and are found in tropical forests and bamboo forests of stand out from other antelope species due to their distinctive stripes. An adult usually has between 10 and 16 stripes and most have a black belly. Males tend to have darker coats than females. They are vegetarian, eating mainly leaf tips, shoots, roots and the vines of a wide variety of other plants including bamboo, cassava and even sweet potato when in captivity. In the wild, their main threat is poaching - humans illegally hunt them for food and thier skins. Other predators include lions, pythons, leopards and is estimated that there are less than 100 bongos currently living in the wild.
The Independent
19-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Critically endangered eastern mountain bongo calf born at UK safari park
A critically endangered eastern mountain bongo calf has been born at a UK safari park. The male calf was born at Woburn Safari Park in Woburn, Bedfordshire, to first-time mother Odongo and father Sonny. Keepers said the calf needed physiotherapy shortly after his birth on May 5 to strengthen his hips and rear legs, but is now doing well. On his introduction to the herd, the young calf was said to have eagerly dashed around and took in his new surroundings. The birth follows that of another male calf, Djembe, born to Odongo's twin sister Othaya in October 2024. Odongo and Othaya were born at Woburn on August 3 2014 and are one of only two surviving sets of bongo twins ever recorded in captivity. Keepers said they are inseparable and continue to support each other as mothers. Their two young calves have already formed a bond, with nose-to-nose greetings and close interactions observed. The park says Odongo's instincts quickly took over after the birth, and she has blossomed into a nurturing and protective mother. The eastern mountain bongo is classified as critically endangered, with captive breeding programmes playing a key role in conservation efforts. Woburn's head of section Tom Robson said: 'We are thrilled to announce the arrival of our second male bongo calf to the herd at Woburn. 'After a six-year breeding gap, two healthy calves were born within months of each other, marking a major success for the captive breeding programme. 'As a critically endangered species, every birth plays a vital role in securing the future of these beautiful animals. 'Odongo has embraced motherhood beautifully, it's just wonderful to see her offering her newborn the strongest possible start in life.'
