Eastern Bongo

Al Bustan background

• 17 ha Private collection in Sharjah, UAE• First started in 1997• Wide range of animal species from marmosets

to rhino• Imported first 2:3 Bongo in November 2006

from Texas, USA

Population dynamics

o Original population was 2:3o Dominant male bred with all femaleso Total of 3:7 born over 5 yearso Biggest group kept at one time was 3:5

ABO002 ABO003 ABO002 ABO004 ABO002 ABO005

ABO002 ABO007 ABO012 ABO002 ABO006 ABO011 ABO014

ABO008 ABO013 ABO010

Present

• 2 separate populations• 1:4 family group in holding facility housed

with gerenuk• 1:1 housed on exhibit – mother and son• Dominant male recently dead - salmonella• Only 1 female from original imports, all the

rest offspring.

Feed

• Did have problems in the past with flourosis• Fed a browser pellet of 16.5% protein at 2% of

total body weight• Quarter of that amount is alfalfa• Fresh browse available in camp• Steal the tortoises produce!• Nothing fed off the floor

Diseases• Dr. Chris Lloyd• Vaccinated for PPR, FMD, clostridial diseases• TB negative• Some mortalities:– Malignant Catarrhal Fever– Abomasal impaction– Salmonellosis – possibly due to housing with Aldabra

tortoises.– Still birth– Flourosis (Historical): Commercial Feed related

Management

• Nocturnal species – like hiding in dark, enclosed space during the day.

• New night rooms specifically built for bongo.• Were housed in room with port-a-cool and

misters.• In holding facility, spend day under trees.• Pant.

Construction on new Night-room / management areaEnclosure size: 2000 m2 +78 m2 (night room)Construction on new Night-room / management areaEnclosure size: 2000 m2 +78 m2 (night room)

Off site holding enclosure 7 800 m2Off site holding enclosure 7 800 m2

THE END