TAMPA, Fla. – ZooTampa at Lowry Park has kicked off the new year with a massive win for conservation. On January 9, the zoo welcomed a female Eastern bongo calf—a critically endangered antelope species with fewer than 100 individuals estimated to remain in the wild.
The newborn, standing about two feet tall and tipping the scales at a healthy 38 pounds, marks the zoo’s first animal birth of 2026. Animal care staff report that both the calf and her mother, four-year-old Binti, are healthy and bonding well.
This arrival is the result of careful planning. Binti was paired with the calf’s father, six-year-old Marvin, who arrived from Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium in 2023. The match was orchestrated by the Eastern Bongo Species Survival Plan (SSP), a collaborative effort among accredited zoos to maintain genetically diverse populations of imperiled species. This is the fourth bongo calf born at ZooTampa since 2021.
READ: Home At Last: ZooTampa Smashes Record With 26 Manatee Releases In 2025
“We’re thrilled to welcome another healthy bongo calf into our herd,” said Chris Massaro, Senior VP and Chief Zoological Officer. “I’m incredibly proud of our animal care team and the exceptional care they provide to all of our animals every single day.”
The new calf joins a growing herd of eight at the zoo, including males Marvin and Mac, and females Blitzen, Lottie, Binti, Millie, and Mira.
Eastern bongos are the largest forest-dwelling antelope, easily recognized by their glossy chestnut coats, vertical white stripes, and spiraled horns. While adults can weigh up to 880 pounds, the species faces a precarious future in its native habitats due to severe poaching and habitat loss, making every successful zoo birth a critical step in their survival.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox
