Where the antelope play: Zoo welcomes bongos

Critically endangered antelope pair is snacking, sparring and settling in well

A pair of frisky young bongos, a critically endangered species of African antelope, is settling in at the Oregon Zoo - grazing in the grass, playfully sparring with one another and exploring their new habitat.

"Banjo and Bentley are curious, engaged and active, just like young bongos should be," said Kelly Gomez, who oversees the zoo's Africa area. "It's wonderful to see them playing together."

With their reddish-brown coats and thin white stripes, eastern mountain bongos are among the most striking antelope species. They're also one of the rarest: Threatened by habitat loss, human encroachment and illegal hunting, fewer than 200 are thought to remain in the wild.

Visitors to the zoo can catch a glimpse of the new arrivals in the Africa area, between the rhino and giraffe habitats. Although they might choose to be indoors on colder days, Gomez anticipates a lot of activity from the pair as the weather gets warmer.

"Young male bongos are usually pretty energetic and playful, and Banjo and Bentley are no exception," Gomez said. "We're looking forward to introducing them to guests."

Eastern mountain bongos are one of the largest species of antelope, and Gomez says Banjo and Bentley are still growing. Adult males can weigh more than 650 pounds, with long, twisting horns that grow parallel to their backs.

Banjo and Bentley came to Portland from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park on a recommendation from the Species Survival Plan for eastern mountain bongos - a cooperative program among zoos that helps create genetically diverse, self-sustaining populations to guarantee the long-term future of animal species.