Northern Ireland

Celebrations at Belfast Zoo following birth of baby bongo

Jumapili enjoys being outside for the first time
Jumapili enjoys being outside for the first time Jumapili enjoys being outside for the first time

BELFAST Zoo is celebrating the birth of an eastern bongo.

The new resident is a female named Jumapili, which means Sunday or 'born on Sunday' in Swahili.

Her proud parents are Tombo and Surali, who were coupled up as a breeding pair in Belfast Zoo just last year.

The eastern bongo species is currently listed as critically endangered and there are estimated to be less than 80 left in the wild.

Zookeeper Nick Simpson-Eyre said: "We had known Surali was pregnant for some time now but couldn’t predict the date the birth would happen.

"It was a fantastic feeling walking into the zoo and seeing our new bongo baby bouncing about with her healthy mother and protective father.

"Tombo, Jumapili’s father, is playing an excellent fatherly role and is very hands on and protective of her. Surali, Jumapili’s mother, is doing great after the pregnancy and is rearing her calf very well. Mother and calf are on show to the public at their enclosure.

"Jumapili or Juma for short can be seen strutting her stuff already. Bongos are one of the cutest babies in the animal kingdom when they are born. Don’t waste any more time, come visit the zoo and see our adorable baby Juma".