Portland, Oregon – A pair of young eastern mountain bongos, a critically endangered African antelope species, has arrived at the Oregon Zoo. The energetic duo, named Banjo and Bentley, are grazing, sparring, 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. Fewer than 200 are thought to remain in the wild due to habitat loss, human encroachment, and illegal hunting.

Visitors can see the new arrivals in the Africa area, between the rhino and giraffe habitats. While the bongos may stay indoors on colder days, Gomez expects them to be very active as the weather warms.

“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 among the largest antelope species. Banjo and Bentley are still growing, with adult males capable of weighing more than 650 pounds and sporting long, twisting horns that grow parallel to their backs.

The pair arrived from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park on the recommendation of the Species Survival Plan for eastern mountain bongos, a cooperative program among zoos aimed at creating genetically diverse, self-sustaining populations to secure the species’ long-term survival.

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