Bongs in a picture taken in the breeding and Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy rescue station. Through it, Prague Zoo supports the program for the reintroduction of bongs into the wild, specifically by financing the planting of forest cover, to which this species is strictly tied. Photo Miroslav Bobek, Prague Zoo
The upcoming weekend at Prague Zoo will belong to one of the rarest mammals in the world and to child visitors. On Saturday, World Bongo Day will be celebrated, when people will get to know these critically endangered antelopes, which Prague Zoo also protects in their home country of Kenya. On Sunday, on Children’s Day, all children under 15 years of age will have one crown of admission to the Prague Zoo, while the program will be traditionally provided by the Prague City Police. In addition, with the arrival of June, commented feedings and meetings with the animals will begin to take place every day – their schedule will be available in the Prague Zoo mobile application.
“Mountain bongos are beautiful but critically endangered antelopes: only a few dozen of them survive in the forests of the Aberdare region in Kenya. The hope for saving this subspecies is to strengthen the wild population with individuals raised in human care, which, however, must be accompanied by efforts to preserve or restore their natural environment. Thanks to the initiative of breeder Lucie Křížová and her colleagues, Prague Zoo is also involved in this,” says Prague Zoo Director Miroslav Bobek. On the last Saturday in May, visitors can expect two commented bongo feedings at 11:00 and 13:30. In addition, they will be able to meet long-time bongo breeder Lucie Křížová during special meetings at 10:00 and 12:00 at their enclosure next to the Hippo Pavilion. Prague Zoo is now home to four bongos – eight-year-old females Daphne and Rayli, a young female Mimi Pipi born in 2023, and an almost three-year-old male Mau.
Mountain bongs are the rarest of the forest antelopes due to habitat loss, poaching and disease. Photo Miroslav Bobek, Prague Zoo
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Anyone can support the protection of mountain bongos in Kenya through the Prague Zoo collection account. We help them survive. For example, by transferring any amount to the account 43–680 466 0247/0100 or by purchasing souvenirs at the Prague Zoo e-shop in the section called We help them survive. Last but not least, visit Prague Zoo.
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On the first Sunday in June, when all children under 15 years of age will have admission to the Prague Zoo for a symbolic one crown, there will be a varied program in the area directed by the Prague Municipal Police. Children will enjoy a bouncy castle, a traffic school, face painting or artists on stilts. Adults can look forward to live music performed by the Dixie Band of the Municipal Police at the Educational Center. The full program is attached below.
Children’s Day with the Municipal Police of the capital. Prague, 9:00–18:00
- Stilts Kašpar and Klaudie (main entrance and its surroundings)
- Bungee running (Children’s Zoo, meadow behind the children’s tram ticket office)
- Children’s traffic school (Children’s Zoo, behind Virtual Reality)
- Photo corner (Archa Theatre)
- Airbrush tattooing (Children’s Zoo, benches next to the snowman)
- Face painting (Children’s Zoo, by the children’s tram)
- Sack jumping (Children’s Zoo, by the Hanuman panel)
- Target shooting (Children’s Zoo)
- Bouncy castle (Veselovský meadow)
- Monkey track (Veselovský meadow)
- Regular performances by the Dixie Band of the Municipal Police (terrace of the Educational Centre)
- Giving out gifts (terrace of the Educational Centre)
Long-time bong keeper at Prague Zoo Lucie Křížová will tell visitors about her charges right at their enclosure on Saturday – first at 10 a.m. and then again at noon. Photo Tereza Mrhálková, Prague Zoo