‘Critically endangered’ baby creature is ‘thriving’ at Florida zoo. See the cuteness
A “critically endangered” creature made his debut at a Florida zoo — and he’s “thriving.”
“I spy a new face at the zoo,” Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens wrote Feb. 25 in a Facebook post. “We’re overjoyed to introduce the newest member of our zoo family — a healthy male Eastern bongo calf.”
Eastern bongos are a species of antelope native to the mountainous forests of Kenya. The zoo welcomed its baby bongo after his mama, Cayenne, gave birth for the first time.
“Both mom and calf are thriving, with the little one nursing well and growing stronger each day,” the wildlife park wrote. “Eastern bongos are critically endangered due to habitat loss and poaching. Each birth is a vital step toward their conservation.”
A photo shared on Facebook shows the new addition has striped fur and pointed ears. He was born Feb. 19 and already has social media users raving about his cuteness.
The zoo in its post didn’t share the baby’s name or reveal details about his personality. McClatchy News reached out for more information on Feb. 26 and was awaiting a response.
Eastern bongos are born weighing about 43 pounds but can reach roughly 900 pounds as adults. The animals are known for their keen sense of hearing, and both males and females have horns, according to the wildlife park and the Denver Zoo.
“They are very shy and reclusive,” the Denver Zoo wrote on its website. “When disturbed they run at full speed through the thick undergrowth to seek cover. They will then stand with their back to the disturbance to be in a good position to flee, and their back is less conspicuous.”
This story was originally published February 26, 2025 at 3:18 PM with the headline "‘Critically endangered’ baby creature is ‘thriving’ at Florida zoo. See the cuteness."
