Dublin Zoo welcomes latest arrival

Dublin Zoo is celebrating the birth of a female eastern bongo calf born last month.

This is a particularly significant birth for Dublin Zoo as the young female provides an important boost to the international breeding programme for this highly endangered species. Only between 75 and 140 eastern bongos exist in the wild.

The herbivores are characterised by a striking reddish-brown coat, black and white markings, white-yellow stripes and long, slightly spiralled horns.

“We are thrilled with the arrival of the bongo calf," said zookeeper Helen Clarke-Bennett.

"There is so few of them left in the wild that successful breeding is essential to the survival of this beautiful species.

“The youngster is fit but still quite shy; she has big ears which look out of proportion on her small body but she will grow into them."

The animal care team has advised visitors to be patient when looking for the young bongo in the African Plains enclosure as it is likely she is resting and camouflaged in the bushes.