Bongo

The bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus) is a striking and elusive antelope known for its vibrant reddish-brown coat adorned with thin white vertical stripes, which help it blend into the dense forests it inhabits. This unique coloration, combined with a black-and-white facial pattern and spiraled horns present in both males and females, provides excellent camouflage in its natural environment. Bongos are primarily found in the rainforests of Central and West Africa, with two subspecies: the lowland bongo, which inhabits forests in countries like Cameroon and the Republic of Congo, and the critically endangered mountain bongo, native to the highland forests of Kenya. These herbivores prefer dense, moist forests with plenty of undergrowth, where they feed on leaves, grasses, roots, and fruits. Bongos are mostly nocturnal or crepuscular, staying hidden during the day to avoid predators such as leopards and hyenas. Despite their secretive nature, bongos are social animals, often living in small groups, though older males may become more solitary.