One of the most critically endangered species on the planet has just been born at Chester Zoo and not only is it super rare and cute but it’s also got one of the most charming little names for an animal we’ve ever come across.
Its scientific name is Tragelaphus eurycerusisaaci, but it’s more commonly and affectionately known as a ‘mountain bongo’, and while that name is undeniably amusing, its conservation status is much more serious as there are just 50 left in the wild.
Just the second bongo to have been born at the conservation charity in the last 15 years and with so few only found in one remote area of Kenya, every birth is ‘vitally important’ to the future of the species.
With that in mind, zoo conservationists are working on plans to translocate mountain bongo from zoos in Europe to Africa in a bid to prevent them from becoming completely extinct and that’s where experts like those at Chester Zoo come in. Say hello to Navari.
Our special new arrival is one of the world’s rarest mammals 🦌
Say hello to baby mountain bongo, Navari 🩷 How cute are her big ears!?
Only 50 mountain bongo now remain in a remote area of Kenya. That's why we're part of international efforts to translocate a number of these… pic.twitter.com/1HH5sLzC8m
Quietly welcomed into the world on 31 May, the female calf might only be a dainty deer-looking creature right now but it is actually the world’s largest forest-dwelling antelope.
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With adorable big ears and a striking patterned and camouflaging coat, the bongo is somewhere between an antelope and a red doe crossed with a bit of almost zebra-like striping.
When out in nature as normal, their horns are also used by males for sparing over females and also have to walk with their heads tilted back when moving through forests so they don’t get stuck in branches. They also used these strong horns to uproot plants as well as a long, flexible tongue to reach for food.
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Given that there are so few of Navari and her kind left on the planet, few will have ever seen anything like her (ourselves included), but she is already key to the future of her species’ survival.
Born to parents Nolliag and Moti after a nine-and-a-half-month-long pregnancy, the “precious” young female is already growing fast but like most calves is “very shy and elusive”, according to Chester Zoo’s General Manager of Mammals, Dr Nick Davis.
He goes on to explain that most animals and newborns tend to naturally look to take cover to protect themselves; in this particular bongo’s case, their incredibly large ears don’t just look almost out of proportion with their bodies but are so highly sensitive that they keep them constantly on alert to help them sense and escape ambush predators.
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Navira pictured with Dad. Standing around 1.1 to 1.4m tall at the shoulder, an adult male bongo can weigh over 300kgs Credit: Chester Zoo (supplied)
Nick went on to say: “We’ve learned so much about their biology and behaviours from important births like this one, as well as the daily care we’ve been able to provide to them in zoos. Until recently, they remained poorly studied across their native range but this is thankfully starting to change.”
“We’re now at the forefront of bongo conservation and we’ve already been involved in a number of breakthrough discoveries, such as finding them living in Uganda for the first time. This has laid a foundation for us to integrate conservation efforts by zoos with those in the wild – offering better hope for the future survival of these incredible animals.
The mountain bongo is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and faces serious threats of extinction due to habitat loss, the agriculture industry and hunting for their meat, horns and hides.
Director of Plants and Animals, Mike Jordan, added: “Working alongside the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya Wildlife Service and Kenya Forest Service, as well as academics in the UK and the zoo community across Europe, plans are now in motion to translocate a number of these wonderful animals from zoos in Europe to Africa.
“We hope they’ll go on to bolster the wild population and help these stunning animals to stage a recovery.” As you can see, the UK’s best zoo and wildlife conservation park continues to do crucial work in protecting rare species like the bongo – and you can be part of those efforts too.
Century-old Didsbury Sports Ground left devastated after Greater Manchester flooding
Danny Jones
As residents and local businesses in various parts of the region continue to pick up the pieces after recent flooding, one of the venues worst affected is Didsbury Sports Ground, which sadly suffered “catastrophic” levels of damage.
Having stood in South Manchester for over 100 years, Didsbury Sports Ground (DSG) has been a key community institution for generations, home to rugby, cricket and football clubs, as well as the weekly parkrun, just to name a few of its regular leisure activities.
Unfortunately, following the recent floods which hit several of the 10 boroughs hard, as well as many parts of Cheshire from New Year’s Eve onwards, the pitches, car park, clubhouse, storage and changing rooms have all rendered unusable or completely ruined following the major incident.
And when we say unusable, we mean a lot of it is still underwater.
Credit: Didsbury Sports Ground (supplied)
After banks burst up and down the River Mersey and the North West downpour continued, not only were the various playing fields left heavily waterlogged, but the club’s central building also suffered significant structural damage.
In addition to a large hole being knocked through the main clubhouse wall, with collapsed fencing and tree limbs littering the perimeter, the constant flow of water has seeped right down to the foundations.
Speaking on the damage,DSG‘s director Ian Bailey said: “The devastation caused by the flooding is nothing short of heart-wrenching. The Grounds have been a landmark and local hub within the village for over a century. The damage is catastrophic and the impact on the community is immense.
“Our Ground is far more than just a sports facility, it is a place where people connect, grow, and thrive, and embrace the community spirit. To lose such an iconic and central community resource would be unthinkable and such a travesty, which is why we’re calling on local and central government support.”
“Every week, DSG brings together over 800 people from the local area for Manchester sports, fitness, social activities, recreation and community events, creating a place for well-being, a fantastic social circle and helping to build an all-round happier and healthier community.”
As a result of the damage and loss to the community, the team behind DSG are now frantically trying to raise enough funds to carry out a raft of remedial repairs and some serious groundwork.
Setting themselves a total target of £50,000 for the entire clean-up operation, every penny of which will go towards getting the sports ground back in a usable state.
Thus far, thanks to nearly 500 donations by loving locals and kindhearted Mancunians who know the value of leisure centres and clubs like this, they have already more than 30% of the amount needed in just over a week (just over £17k). Legends, every single one of them.
Bailey went on to add: “We are so grateful for the immediate help of our volunteers and the fantastic people at this club […] We will, however, need more than time, we will require the funds to bring the Grounds and Clubhouse back into full use and to safeguard from future flooding, which is why we have launched our ‘Repair & Rescue’ Fund.
As Ian reiterated, “Every contribution will make a huge difference”; you can see more proof of just how much work needs to be done and donate if you wish HERE.
You can now receive the UK’s ‘first-ever’ same-day sperm MOT for free right here in Manchester
Danny Jones
For any bloke who’s ever wondered about their fertility and considering grabbing a quick test, you can now get what’s being called a quick sperm ‘MOT’ right here in Manchester– and it’s free.
As well as the obvious importance of regular sexual health checks, many people understandably worry about their virility as they get older and there’s no harm in just giving yourself that piece of mind.
That’s why one Manchester-based sperm and egg bank is expanding its already wide range of services to offer quick and easy tests to locals.
We’re all adults here: if your car’s MOT is considered an essential check, then why not take a little look under the hood to see how your little swimmers are getting on?
Credit: Cryos International (supplied)
Cryos International, located over at Rutherford House on Manchester Science Park, is a quick and confidential clinic that specialises in sexual wellness and reproductive health.
The industry-leading sperm and egg bank remains at the forefront when it comes to various different areas of the sector but now they’re taking one field even further by offering men aged 18-45 an unprecedented level of service.
While sperm tests and egg checks are nothing new, Cryos are the UK clinic to offer rapid detailed analysis that will see your results returned to you the same day.
Better yet, this initiative is completely free of charge and provides a non-diagnostic assessment of key sperm quality criteria, including sperm count and how effectively the sperm moves.
It’s part of Cryos’ commitment to demystifying male reproductive health and demonstrating how lifestyle factors can impact male fertility, while at the same time breaking the stigma around sperm donation, and helping more people on their journey to parenthood.
The launch comes at a time of unprecedented demand for fertility services in the UK, with births from sperm donation tripling since the turn of the millennium.
Sadly, donor numbers here in Britain have hit an all-time low and similar struggles are being seen all over Europe even despite the growing population.
To combat this, the UK government has actually increased its standard compensation fee by £10 as of October 2024, rising to £45 a pop.
Of course, your sperm needs to be in good health before you can donate, not to the obvious benefits for couples trying to conceive and, as lab Manager Samantha Duffy-Olive explains, even “simple lifestyle changes can have a huge impact on sperm quality.”
With that in mind, Manc males are being encouraged to make the most of this free semen test and in addition to the analysis service, they will also offer helpful advice that could make a real difference to improve your reproductive health. You can book HERE.
This isn’t the first time we’ve clocked Cryos pioneering the sperm donation and sexual health space…
Danny Jones -
19th September 2024 
