ZOO ATLANTA WELCOMES CASPER THE BONTEBOK

New to the Zoo, his species represents a dramatic and unusual conservation turnaround

Zoo Atlanta is pleased to welcome Casper, a 1-year-old male bontebok, to the African Savanna. Born at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in Ohio, Casper was recommended to move to Atlanta by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan® (SSP). As he is still adjusting to his new home, sightings are not yet guaranteed.

Among the rarest antelopes in South Africa, bonteboks are medium-sized antelopes, with males weighing up to 175 pounds. They are mostly dark brown in color, with distinctive white blazes in the centers of their faces. Both sexes have horns that can grow up to 18 inches long.

This species represents one of modern history’s most dramatic and unusual conservation turnarounds. Reduced to a population of fewer than 20 individuals by the early 20^th century, bonteboks faced almost certain extinction by 1931, when a group of farmers transferred a herd to protected land (Bontebok National Park) to save the species. All animals in the present-day population, which now numbers almost 2,000, descend from this original herd. These include North American zoological populations overseen by the SSP, which seeks to maintain healthy, self-sustaining and genetically diverse populations for future generations.

Classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), bonteboks outside zoos are found only in protected areas in South Africa. Their primary threats are habitat fragmentation and low genetic diversity resulting from the small number of founding animals. The species is also particularly sensitive to climate variability, as bonteboks’ reproductive success is closely connected with rainfall.

“We are very excited to welcome Casper to Zoo Atlanta. This is a beautiful species many people have never heard of, with a story most people have likewise never heard,” said Jennifer Mickelberg, PhD, Vice President of Collections and Conservation. “We look forward to introducing our Members and guests to this wonderful new addition to the already majestic complement of wildlife in our African Savanna.”

Casper will have an opportunity to explore his new surroundings on his own before being introduced to the giraffes, zebras, and ostriches who will share his mixed-species habitat. These introductions, which are approached very gradually with one species at a time, can take several weeks.

Plan a visit at zooatlanta.org.   

MEDIA CONTACT:
Rachel Davis
Director of Communications
404.624.2812 – office
404.309.2238 – cell
rdavis@zooatlanta.org

Gavin Johnson
Public Relations & Communications Specialist
404.624.5980 – office
gjohnson@zooatlanta.org

About Zoo Atlanta
A proud accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the gold standard for animal care and welfare, Zoo Atlanta has a mission to save wildlife and their habitats through conservation, research, education, and engaging experiences. The Zoo is home to more than 1,000 animals representing more than 200 species from around the world, many of them endangered or critically endangered. Highlights include giant pandas, including Ya Lun and Xi Lun, the only giant panda twins in the U.S.; one of North America’s largest zoological populations of great apes; and a global center of excellence for the care and study of reptiles and amphibians. Recent transformations include the African Savanna, featuring expanded habitats for African elephants, giraffes, zebras, ostriches, warthogs, meerkats, and rhinos; Savanna Hall, a state-of-the-art special event destination in the restored historic former home of the Atlanta Cyclorama; and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Plaza. For more information, visit zooatlanta.org.