Houston Zoo Celebrates Spring Baby Boom
The Houston Zoo welcomes Mother’s Day weekend with a new face. An eastern bongo, Marvin was born to mother Lily and father Bobby. Bongo calves have large ears and bright white stripes. The Eastern Bongo is a very rare antelope native to Central Africa and is considered an endangered species with an estimated 200 individuals in the wild. Marvin is brave enough to try new things, like getting on the scale and weighing himself. Guests can see Marvin and Mom sharing an exhibit next to Okapi with another female Bongo.
A male yellow duiker, Cadbury was born to his mother, Pumpkin, and his father, Daryl. Duiker means diver, and when agitated, duikers dive or dive into thick cover to hide. Cadburys are very calm and will often walk to their keepers for their curiosity and attention. You can see Cadbury hidden in the bamboo forest of the Okapi garden. The yellow duiker is an endangered species native to western and central Africa and is the largest duiker species.
Both Vongolily and yellow-backed Dyker Pumpkin are experienced mothers and do their best to care for their calves. Zoos play an important role in the survival of these species. Guests can help save Africa’s wildlife by visiting the zoo to see these new faces. A portion of all zoo memberships and admission fees directly support wildlife conservation efforts around the world.