English: Bongo; French: Bongo; Bila: Soli, Fanti: Bongo; Kikuyu: ndong’oro; Kiladi: Njiogika; Lomongo: Mongo, Mpanga; Pahouin: Ezona; Teke: Mboono; Yoruba: Otolo; Zande: Mbangana.
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Former distribution: From Sierra Leone east along the rain forest regions to Kenya, Ethiopia and Tanzania.
Present distribution: Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Cameroon, Benin, southern Chad, Central African Republic, Congo, Zaire, southern Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, southern Ethiopia?
Behaviour: Preferred habitat: dense rain forest regions in both lowlands and mountains up to 4000 m. They live singly or in pairs: active at twilight. They browse on leaves, shoots and herbs; occasionally grasses. Predators include leopards – and on the calves, pythons.
Population status: Stable. Estimated numbers: no records.
Brief notes:
Body weight: 300-400 kg
Head and body length: 200-240 cm
Tail length: 45-65 cm
Shoulder height: 110-130 cm
Gestation period: 294-296 days
Maximum age: 18-20 years
Trophy: Record SCI: 94 1/8 score, 1984 Sudan; JESUS YUREN; average 70 score. RW’s: 39 1/2″, Kenya, SIR A. BAILEY; average 26″. CIC: 192.20 points, 1980 Ivory Coast, C. PACHENART; average 177 points.
Hunting methods: Stalking with trackers; with dogs and beaters.
Remarks: Many authors recognize 2 subspecies: – the Western Bongo, Tragelaphus e. eurycerus, and the Eastern Bongo, Tragelaphus e. isaaci. According HALTENORTH and DILLER (1977) only one species is listed. The female Bongo also carries horns.
