Zoo welcomes 'feisty' mountain bongo calf

The calf is currently spending most of his time in his bed stall with his mother

A zoo has welcomed a critically endangered mountain bongo calf thanks to its successful breeding programme.

The male baby bongo was born at Marwell Zoo near Winchester on 4 September.

Keepers at the Hampshire zoo said he has been "very confident, energetic and adventurous right from the start".

There are only about 100 mountain bongos left in the wild, as they face threats like hunting, habitat loss and diseases from domestic cattle.

Animal keeper Rhiannon Wolff said he "appears quite feisty"

The large species of antelope is native to parts of Kenya where they live in forests and highlands.

Animal keeper Rhiannon Wolff said the new arrival "appears quite feisty and has been confidently exploring more and more of his habitat every day".

She continued: "This calf is a very important part of the breeding programme and European Ex-situ Programme which endeavours to ensure the survival of this species.”

As he gets older, he will grow into his large floppy ears

The calf is currently spending most of his time in his bed stall, with his mother Jumapili checking in and feeding him throughout the day.

When they are young, all bongo calves have a chestnut coat with thin white stripes. They also have large floppy ears that they grow into as they get older.

Leopards are the main predators of bongos and when under threat, they run into the forest with their horns held against the back of their necks, so they avoid getting snagged on the undergrowth.