During Pretoria's hot fire import streak in the 80s, with imports of Wisent, Prewalski's Horses, Addax, and several other exotic ungulates. Bongos were inevitably to be imported sooner than later. As such, in 1989, three animals (1.2) were imported from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. The San Diego Bull pictured in 1990. (Credit Die Nasionale Dieretuin van Suid-Afrika 1990 gidsbook, photos by Lisa Trocchi and Koos van der Lende) In 1995 and 1997 another 1.1 were acquired from Zoologischer Garten Wuppertal. The San Diego and Wuppertal Bulls sired 2.3 calves throughout their stay at the zoo. A further 3.1 were born in 4 years, between 2006 and 2010. They were sired by {1.0 Bob: born 2002} imported from Singapore in 2006. A total of 5.4 calves were born in Pretoria. The Singapore Bull (top), Bob pictured with one of his calves, Jackson, who'd go on to be the last Bongo in South Africa. 2009. (Credit: John Dewar / Flickr) Johannesburg Zoo also has a rather long history with bongos. Having kept them in the 90s, unfortunately, little information is available on the Johannesburg animals during that time, it's possible they were imported from abroad or received from Pretoria, the latter being more likely. But at least three animals were born at Joburg, one of which {0.1 Unnamed: Born 1997} was moved to a private collection in Kroonstad in 1999 for three years but returned to Joburg in 2001. In 2005, Joburg's breeding bull passed, and {1.0 Unnamed: Born 2003} was imported from Ebeltoft Safari Park in Denmark. I presume he passed between 2005 and 2010 as there is no mention of him in the 2010 annual report. I previously thought he survived till later, but this doesn't appear to be the case. Accompanying the Danish Bull, the zoo loaned a female {0.1 Ruby: Born 2001}, the only breeding female at the time, from Pretoria adding to the three females already at the zoo. The Bongo Enclosure at Joburg was built in 2005 as part of the "Forest Floor" Section which used to house several Tropical African species. It now houses a bachelor herd of nyala. In 2010, Joburg Zoo needed a new male after the Denmark male didn't last, it was arranged that {1.0 Jackson: Born 2008 (Ruby x Bob)} from Pretoria would be moved to Joburg. Ruby was moved back to Pretoria 3 years prior, so inbreeding was not possible. In 2012 a single event led to the slow demise of Eastern Bongo in South Africa. The only breeding female in South Africa (Ruby) along with one of her calves {1.0 Heritage: Born 2009 Bob x Ruby} were killed in a lightning strike on the 12th of January 2012. Ruby, South Africa's only Breeding Bongo Cow, died in 2012 from a lightning strike. (Credit: Pretoria Zoo / Facebook) Since the birth of Heritage and his and his mother's subsequent passing, not a single Bongo has been born in South Africa. After the lighting strike only these bongos remained in South Africa: Johannesburg: 0.1 Unnamed: Born 1997 Johannesburg -> 1999 Private Collection -> 2001 Johannesburg 0.1 Skew Horn: Born 2001 Johannesburg 1.0 Jackson (Bob x Ruby) Born Pretoria 2008 -> Johannesburg 2010 Pretoria: 1.0 Bob: Born 2002 Singapore -> 2007 Pretoria With a lack of Breeding and a growingly geriatric population, the bongos in South Africa slowly died out. The last bongo in Southern Africa, Jackson, died in March of 2023. Jackson, pictured here 2 years before his passing.
Thanks for this interesting info. It´s a pity that bongo couldnt last in South Africa. And I really like bongo enclosures shown in pictures here. Is there any plans to import bongos again? At least European zoos have revigorated the program recently with more calves born so animals for export would be available.
Hi Jana, thanks for the kind words. I've heard talk of a possible import from the US by Joburg. But nothing set in stone has been announced or decided. If it is planned it is definitely not a priority, as several other projects are waiting for funding like new gorillas and seals. I hope to see them in South Africa again as well, they bred frequently and were lost to unforeseeable circumstances.
Great research and presentation! Thoroughly enjoyed reading this; it's always intriguing to see an entire history of a species in a particular region.
