Zoo Atlanta announced its 5-year-old eastern bongo gave birth to a male calf on April 12, 2014

Welcome the newest ambassador for one of the Zoo’s rarest species

ATLANTA, 2014-04-15 — /Travel PR News/ — Matilda, a 5-year-old eastern bongo, gave birth to a male calf on April 12, 2014. The calf is the third offspring for Matilda and 6-year-old male Tambo.

Matilda’s pregnancy was confirmed earlier this year following visible weight gain and signs that the calf was moving. As it is typical for wild bongo mothers to hide their newborns as a safeguard against predators, Matilda and the calf will have an opportunity to bond behind thescenes before making appearances on exhibit.

“We’re delighted to celebrate our third eastern bongo birth here at Zoo Atlanta. This is a rare and beautiful species very much in need of conservation action,” said Raymond B. King, President and CEO. “We hope that as they watch the calf grow, our Members and guests will be encouraged to learn more about the threats facing bongos in the wild, as well as the everyday actions we can all take to make a difference for endangered species.”

Eastern bongos are critically endangered, with fewer than 500 believed to remain in the wild in their native Kenya, where habitat destruction and poaching are their most immediate threats. Matilda and Tambo were recommended to breed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Bongo Species Survival Plan (SSP), which seeks to maintain a self-sustaining, genetically diverse population in North American zoos and has reintroduced captive-born bongos to eastern Africa. Zoo Atlanta is an active participant in the SSP and has supported bongos and their habitats through the Mabel Dorn Reeder Conservation Endowment Fund.

Matilda’s and Tambo’s firstborn, Beauregard, born in 2011, was the first eastern bongo ever born at Zoo Atlanta. Beauregard and their second offspring, Betty Jean, born in 2012, now reside at other zoos.

Stay tuned for updates on the calf’s debut.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Keisha N. Hines
Director of Public Relations, Communications and Social Media
404.624.5980 – office
404.309.2238 – cell
khines@zooatlanta.org

About Zoo Atlanta
Founded in 1889 with the purchase of a bankrupt traveling circus, Zoo Atlanta celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2014. Viewed as one of the finest zoological parks in the U.S., the Zoo is a proud accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), with a mission to inspire value and preservation of wildlife through a unique mix of education and outdoor family fun. From well-known native wildlife to critically endangered species on the brink of extinction, the Zoo offers memorable close encounters with nearly 1,400 animals from around the world. Highlights include Mei Lun and Mei Huan, the only twin giant pandas in the U.S.; the nation’s largest zoological collections of gorillas and orangutans; and a global center of excellence for the care and study of reptiles and amphibians. Up-close-and-personal experiences include giraffe feeding, permitting guests to hand-feed Earth’s tallest living land mammals, and behind-the-scenes Wild Encounters with African elephants, giant pandas, lemurs and Aldabra giant tortoises. The Zoo is open daily with the exceptions of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Keeper talks, interactive wildlife shows, education programs and special events run year-round. For more information, visit zooatlanta.org or call 404.624.WILD.

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