credit – Woburn Safari Park
Today’s good news comes from the Good News Network.
Britain Celebrates Birth of Baby Bongo Antelope–with Fewer Than 100 Left on Earth
In an English safari park, keepers celebrate the arrival of a calf from the world’s most endangered antelope species, the eastern mountain bongo.
Born October 16th, first-time mom Othaya welcomed a male calf in the late afternoon. This was the first bongo calf born at Woburn Safari Park in over 10 years.
It’s both a significant success for the park and global conservation efforts to save this species native to Kenya.
“Othaya the bongo has successfully given birth to her first calf on Wednesday afternoon. After a long labor, the large healthy male calf was born and was soon seen standing on wobbly legs in the deep bed of straw prepared for his arrival,” stated Tom Robson, Head of Reserves at the park. “Both mom and calf are doing really well.”
Sonny, the calf’s father, joined the four-strong bongo herd at the park last November and successfully mixed with the females. He wasted no time in doing his job and displayed breeding behaviors.
“The bongo is part of a crucial breeding program and we are hoping in the future our new calf will travel to another wildlife collection and start a breeding group of his own,” Robson added.
Once the mom and baby are ready, they will rejoin the rest of the bongo herd in the African Forest exhibit, where visitors will soon have the chance to see the calf in person.
The eastern mountain bongo species has been hunted almost to extinction in the wild, and with less than 100 individuals remaining, this birth is hugely important for the species’ future.
The lowland bongo, its near-cousin, is readily dispersed across the Congo region and southern West Africa and is not endangered. The mountain bongo, with its much deeper red coat, is found only on Mount Kenya.
It has been estimated that the eastern mountain bongo may go extinct within 2 decades without appropriate protections. However, several Critically Endangered species, like the West African lion, have recovered on the continent in recent years.
WATCH the story below from Africa News…
The good news in this story is the possible comeback of a species. Today’s JohnKu celebrates this accomplishment. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Comeback by John W. Howell © 2024
A turnaround is,
Always the miraculous. . .
Especially now.
Fiction Favorites 
This also speaks for the way they are cared for, and sometimes these animals can only survive in a protected area. Thanks for the great news, John! Best wishes, Michael
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Michael. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting. I didn’t think bongo were endangered, until you explained the subspecies. These captive breeding programs are super important.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I agree. Thanks, Craig.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Your JohnKu is spot-on!
LikeLiked by 3 people
So nice to hear, Liz.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wonderful, uplifting news, John. Thank you for morning smiles. 🌞
LikeLiked by 2 people
So glad you liked it, Gwen. Always good to hear a story of reclamation. 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Your Good News Network posts are nourishing. And the last line of your JohnKu is spot on. Especially in a difficult week. Thanks for passing along the good stuff that’s happening, my friend. 🌞
LikeLiked by 2 people
Than you, Dave. It is the good news that sustains us. 😁
LikeLiked by 2 people
It certainly is good news that an effort is being made to overcome the near extinction of an antelope subspecies, with some success.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It looks like they have found the key to helping the species survive. Thanks, Tim.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Awesome news.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I agree, Charles. Anytime a stp forward is made to save a species it is good news. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a heart-smile here!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I agree. Gave me one too.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Awwww, I love things like this. And what an adorable little calf. Thanks for sharing, John!
LikeLiked by 2 people
My pleasure, Jan. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 2 people
They are so beautiful! I would love to see this species get a foothold.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Awww that’s amazing, especially since they are endangered. Super cute, too! I hope you have a great weekend, John! 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Laura. I hope you have a good one as well. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw, what a cutie! Thanks for sharing this news, John — it’s indeed good to hear.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes it is. Thank you, Debbie.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Awwww, welcome sweet baby bongo. Love the stripes and hope for more. xo 💗
LikeLiked by 2 people
Me too, Cindy. Thank you. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is the feel-good post of the day, John. You did good.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Jacqui.
LikeLiked by 2 people
These stories always warm my heart because it shows that in addition to humanity doing great harm to our animal neighbors, we can also do great good. What a cute calf!
LikeLiked by 2 people
That is very true, Noelle. The calf is cute.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for sharing a “good news” story. 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
My pleasure, Diana. I’m so glad you liked it. 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
This really brought a smile to my face. There isn’t much good news out there in the word, so a post like this gives us hope. Thanks, John.
LikeLiked by 2 people
This is why I do one a week. There is so little.
LikeLiked by 2 people
This is wonderful news! I get very excited when I hear that an endangered species has added to their numbers. Great post John!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I do too, Holly. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 2 people
🙂🌻
LikeLiked by 2 people
🌺X
LikeLiked by 2 people
🤗 x
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊X
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh, this is so very special. Thank you for sharing the sweet and encouraging news, and the video. A wonderful weekend to you, John.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Michele. It is very encouraging.
LikeLiked by 2 people
A victory when a baby is born within dwindling populations. Heartbreaking when animals become extinct.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It is heart breaking, Michele.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It is always heartening to read about a species being saved from extinction. A nice reminder that there are some good people out there. Thanks, John!
LikeLiked by 2 people
A very nice reminder. Thanks, Marie.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hallelujah! Headed in the right direction. This good news made my day!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m so glad. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great pick today, John! Who doesn’t love a comeback story?
LikeLiked by 2 people
I know right? Thanks Pete.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I had no idea Bongos were so endangered. This is the exact kind of good news needed, especially after this week. Thank you for sharing this remarkable story about a blessed event.
LikeLiked by 3 people
As you may guess, these kinds of stories help me maintain a positive view of the world as well. Thanks, Monika.
LikeLiked by 2 people
For which I am very grateful. They will be needed much more going forward, I suspect.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes indeed.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I just love this story!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I do too, Jennie. Thanks
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re welcome, John!
LikeLiked by 2 people
😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Woburn Safari Park is pretty famous here in England for its conservation and breeding programs of various species…
This is a lovely new addition to the park… Thank you for sharing… It really is GOOD news.. ❤
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks for sharing that information, Sue. Good on them.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s exciting! I hope the Mom and baby do well back in the wild.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I do too, Deborah. Thank you. 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, the turn around is miraculous, as the JohnKu says.
Still, there are those who would Hunt species to extinction. Can they be educated to have respect?
A wonderful good feeling story. Than you John!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Education has been ongoing for years on those who poach endangered species. I say just shoot the poachers.
LikeLiked by 2 people
LOL!
Poach the poachers!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Perfect. 😊X
LikeLiked by 1 person
k
OX OX
LikeLiked by 3 people
OX OX OX
LikeLiked by 2 people
OX OX OX OX
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊X 😊X 😊X 😊X
LikeLiked by 2 people
🥇x 🥇x
LikeLiked by 2 people
We win. 🎺
LikeLiked by 2 people
Such a cutie. 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, Debby. 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
What wonderful news, John, and such a delight to read to begin my week. 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
I agree, Lauren. Thanks for the lovely comment
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wonderful ♥️
LikeLiked by 2 people
😁
LikeLike
great news … thanks for sharing
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLike