(GRAND RAPIDS) – “The Stork” has delivered another endangered species to John Ball Zoo.
Today, the Grand Rapids institution announced the birth of a female eastern mountain bongo named “Chestnut.”
A bongo is a large forest antelope indigenous to Kenya.
The baby bongo, born July 23rd to mother “Carrot” and father “Beckson,” is healthy and adjusting to life at the zoo behind the scenes.
Chestnut has a big brother named “Sprout” born last year in captivity in Grand Rapids.
Next week, the bongo family will be allowed into John Ball’s outdoor habitat for public viewing.
The eastern mountain bongo is critically endangered due to poaching, habitat destruction, and illegal trapping.
Carrot & Beckson were paired through the Association of Zoos & Aquariums Species Survival Program. This initiative uses genetic research to pair endangered animals (already in captivity) to hopefully procreate healthier and stronger generations to be released into the wild.
The birth of Chestnut follows the hatching of three endangered Magellanic penguin chicks at John Ball Zoo a few months ago.
(PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN BALL ZOO.)
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