The Bedford Estates, LondonKeepers are delighted to announce that a male Eastern mountain bongo named Pesaka has arrived at the Park, with the hopes that he will be the breeding male for the three existing females Odongo, Othaya and Okia.
Pesaka’s arrival is an important step for the preservation of this critically endangered species, as the Eastern mountain bongo are only found in Kenya and there are thought to be less than 100 individuals left in the wild.
IMAGE BY KEEPER DAYNA
The two-year-old bongo was transported from Belfast Zoo to Woburn Safari Park earlier this month, and he has already become a firm favorite with keepers and the rest of the herd! Pesaka has been spending most of his time since his arrival settling in with the three girls, and keepers have noted that their first introductions went exceedingly well.
Head of Reserves, Tom Robson told us, ‘He really is a fantastic animal and has been getting on really well with the rest of the herd here at the Park. We hope that he will breed with the existing three females within the herd, and we hopefully may have calves as early as next year’.
IMAGE BY KEEPER DAYNA
Why was Pesaka moved to Woburn Safari Park?
Pesaka was moved to the Park after an EEP (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria Ex-Situ Programme) breeding recommendation. Recommendations such as these aim to ensure a viable and sustainable captive population of key species is maintained long term.
The EEP is the most intensive form of managed breeding and is conducted by an EEP co-ordinator, assisted by a species committee. The role of the co-ordinator is to collate data on all individuals of a particular species and analyse this data annually using a computer software programme. In this case, Pesaka was matched to the three female bongos already at the Park, and the move was coordinated.
IMAGE BY KEEPER DAYNA
The biggest threat to these critically endangered bongo is large scale poaching and illegal trapping for food and skins that have resulted in the decline of populations and even their complete elimination in some areas. Therefore, Woburn Safari Park’s participation in the EEP breeding programme is vital to maintaining and preserving Eastern mountain bongo - which are so threatened out in the wild.
For now, we look forward towatching Pesaka settle into his new home and watching his friendly and sociable personality shine through.
Spot Pesaka and the rest of the bongo herd for yourself!
You can spot Pesaka and the rest of the herd of Eastern mountain bongo in the African Forest section of the Road Safari, along with the Barbary macaque monkeys.