Bongo born at Watatunga Nature Reserve
They're an endangered species
It’s calving season at Watatunga Nature Reserve and, much to the delight of the wardens and visitors, the first Mountain Bongo calf was born just a few days ago.
With only approximately 100 Mountain Bongo living in the antelope’s natural habitat in Kenya, this addition to the endangered species roll call is exciting news for the world of conservation.
Watatunga Nature Reserve, which is just five miles outside King’s Lynn on the outskirts of Watlington, is committed to preserving many different species of antelope from around the world.
The reserve already works with several international and national conservation and research organisations to help with breeding and release of endangered species. The birth of the first
Mountain Bongo calf at Watatunga will cause ripples of excitement through the world of ungulate protection.
Reserve Warden Jono Usher-Smith said:
"The Mountain Bongo is a critically endangered species, found naturally in the Kenyan Highlands. It is a beautiful animal, very shy, but you can recognise its reddish-brown coat and white and yellow markings.
"Programmes such as we run here, in partnership with other organisations, are vital to the breed’s survival. Our aim is to establish a strong breeding programme and then to look to reintroduce the animals back into their natural habitat."
Mountain Bongos are just one of the many species of deer and antelope that visitors to the nature reserve can see. Among the resident animals are Sitatunga, Roan antelope, Pere David’s Deer, Kafue Flats Lechwe and the stunning Scimitar-horned Oryx. There are also a wide range of birds wandering the woods and grasslands, including the characterful Great Bustard.
Watatunga is both a nature reserve and a visitor attraction. It has been created and developed by the four person team of Ed Pope, Anna Hamilton, Julian Stoyel and Dee Dyer. It is set in 170 acres of mixed vegetation, including grassland, forest and lakes. There is also a wide mix of plants and flowers, grown specifically to mimc the diet that the animals would eat in the wild.