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Tragelaphus euryceros
Bongo (Sp), Bongo (G), Bongo (F). "Bongo" is its local name in Gabon.
DESCRIPTION Shoulder height 47-55 inches (120-140 cm). Weight 450-550 pounds (200-250 kg).
The bongo is the largest African forest antelope. It has a large body with a hunched back, stout legs, very large ears and a long tufted tail. Coat is smooth and short, bright chestnut red in color, with 10-14 vertical white stripes to a side. There is a black and white dorsal crest of stiff hairs, a white facial chevron, white marks on the cheeks, and a white crescent on the breast. Underparts are black, the legs are black with white markings, and the tail has a black tip. Both sexes grow large, smooth horns, with two slight keels, forming an open spiral of about 1-1/2 turns. Females are similar to males, but smaller, with shorter, narrower, straighter horns.
DISTRIBUTION Private ranches in Texas.
REMARKS Native to the equatorial forest in Africa, where it occurs discontinuously from Sierra Leone eastward to Kenya. Shy, wary. elusive and mostly nocturnal, a bongo in its native habitat is one of the top game trophies of Africa, and of the world. Five subspecies are listed in Africa, but are not separated here.
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