Tragelaphus eurycerus (Ogilby, 1837)

Basic Classification and Activity

The bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus) is a large, mostly nocturnal, forest-dwelling antelope native to sub-Saharan Africa.

Coat and Horn Characteristics

It is characterized by a striking reddish-brown coat, black and white markings, white-yellow stripes, and long slightly spiraled horns. It is the only tragelaphid species in which both sexes have horns.

Social Behavior and Size

Bongos have complex social interactions and inhabit dense forest mosaics across Africa, and they rank as the third-largest antelope in the world.

Recognized Subspecies

There are two recognized subspecies: the western or lowland bongo (T. e. eurycerus), which is experiencing ongoing population decline and is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN Antelope Specialist Group, and the eastern or mountain bongo (T. e. isaaci) from Kenya.

Mountain Bongo Coat and Distribution

The mountain bongo has a more vibrant coat than the lowland bongo, and only occurs wild in a few mountain regions of central Kenya.

Mountain Bongo Conservation Status

This subspecies is classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Antelope Specialist Group, with fewer wild individuals than captive individuals; mountain bongos breed readily in captivity.

Captive Conservation Efforts

In 2000, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in the US (AZA) added bongos as a participant in its Species Survival Plan, and in 2006 it included the Bongo Restoration to Mount Kenya Project on its list of the Top Ten Wildlife Conservation Success Stories of the year.

Recent Population Threats

As of 2013, these conservation successes have been compromised, with reports that only around 100 mountain bongos remain in the wild, due to logging and poaching.

Current Geographical Range

Bongos inhabit tropical jungles with dense undergrowth up to an altitude of 4,000 m (13,000 ft) across Central Africa, with isolated populations in Kenya and the West African countries of Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and South Sudan.

Historical Distribution

Historically, bongos occupied three separate disjunct regions across East, Central, and West Africa.

Causes of Range Reduction

Today, the ranges of all three populations have shrunk, driven by habitat loss from agricultural expansion, uncontrolled timber cutting, and hunting for meat.

Preferred Habitat Type

Bongos prefer disturbed forest mosaics that support fresh, low-level green vegetation.

Natural Habitat Formation Triggers

These habitats can form after heavy elephant browsing, fires, flooding, natural or logging-related tree felling, and agricultural fallowing.

East African Bamboo Habitat

In East Africa, mass bamboo die-off creates ideal bongo habitat, and bongos are able to live in bamboo forests.