Bedfordshire safari park welcomes one of Earth’s most endangered animals in ‘major conservation success’
A safari park in Bedfordshire has welcomed a bongo calf, one of the most critically endangered animals on the planet, in what it says is a “major success” for global conservation efforts.
First-time mum Othaya gave birth to the male eastern mountain bongo calf on 16 October in Woburn Safari Park – the first birth of the species there in more than 10 years.
The eastern mountain bongo has been hunted almost to extinction in the wild, with less than 100 remaining.
Head of reserves Tom Robson said: “After a long labour, the large healthy male calf was born and was soon seen standing on wobbly legs, in the deep bed of straw prepared for his arrival. Both mum and calf are doing really well.
“Sonny, the calf’s father, joined the four-strong bongo herd at the park last November, and successfully mixed with the females, wasting no time in doing his job and displaying breeding behaviours.
Pic: PA
“The bongo are part of a crucial breeding programme and we are hoping in the future our new calf will travel to another wildlife collection and start a breeding group of his own.”
The safari park said the mother and calf are currently being kept inside to give them time to bond and grow stronger.
“Meanwhile the bongo calf has completely stolen the keepers’ hearts with his enormous ears, timid but increasingly confident nature,” the park said.
“The baby has been spotted walking around the stable exploring his environment, sticking close to mum while he grows steadier on his hooves.”
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Sonny, the calf’s dad, arrived at Woburn last year as part of the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA) endangered species management programme.
The eastern mountain bongo is classified as critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List, with populations drastically impacted by poaching and habitat loss.
UK drivers are “confused” by the country’s electric car transition, ministers are being warned.
Although most drivers are not hostile towards electric vehicles (EVs), many are confused about what changes are coming and when, according to new research from the AA.
In a survey of more than 14,000 AA members, 7% thought the government was banning the sale of used petrol and diesel cars.
Around a third thought manual EVs exist, despite them all being automatic.
More than one in five said they would never buy an EV.
The government’s plan for increasing the number of electric vehicles being driven in the UK focuses heavily on increasing the supply of the vehicles.
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What you can do to reach net zero
In 2024, at least 22% of new cars and 10% of new vans sold by each manufacturer in the UK had to be zero-emission, which generally means pure electric.
Each year, those percentages will rise, reaching 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans in 2030.
Manufacturers will face fines of £15,000 per vehicle if electric vehicle sales fall short of 28% of total production this year.
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By 2035, all new cars and vans will be required to be fully zero emission, according to the Department for Transport.
Second-hand diesel and petrol cars will still be allowed to be sold after this date, and their fuel will still be available.
There are more EVs – but will people buy them?
In February, 25% of new cars were powered purely by battery and in January, they made up 21% of all new cars registered in the UK.
But despite the growth of electric sales, manufacturers continue to warn that the market will not support the growth required to hit government EV targets, and called for consumer incentives and the extension of tax breaks.
The AA suggested the government’s plan focuses on “supply but does little to encourage demand for EVs”.
It called on ministers to co-ordinate a public awareness campaign alongside the motoring industry which directly targets drivers who doubt the viability of EVs.
“Our message to government is more needs to be done to make EVs accessible for everyone,” said Jakob Pfaudler, AA chief executive.
Which? head of consumer rights Sue Davis said: “When it comes to making sustainable choices such as switching to an electric car, our research shows that people are often held back by high costs, complex choices or uncertainty.
“The government needs to provide the right information on electric vehicles and other sustainable choices so that people have the confidence to switch.”
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “We’re investing over £2.3bn to help industry and consumers make a supported switch to EVs.
“This includes installing a public charge point every 28 minutes, keeping EV incentives in the company car tax regime to 2030, and extending 100% first-year allowances for zero-emission cars for another year.
“Second-hand EVs are also becoming cheaper than ever, with one in three available under £20,000 and 21 brand new models available for less than £30,000.
“We’re seeing growing consumer confidence as a result.”
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