Bongo Harris’ Journey to Taipei Zoo
Bon Voyage, Harris!
A big adventure is ahead for Harris, Houston Zoo’s male eastern bongo at Houston Zoo! Harris traveled overseas to Taipei Zoo, where he has an important role to play in helping protect the future of his critically endangered species.
Eastern bongos are large forest antelopes native to the mountain forests of Kenya. Through our partnership with Taipei Zoo, we hope Harris will contribute to the breeding program and help support a genetically diverse, sustainable population for future generations. Collaborations like this are essential to safeguarding eastern bongos and complementing conservation efforts to protect the species in the wild.
Preparing for a 32-hour journey
Getting Harris ready for an overseas journey was no small task. His animal care team spent months helping him prepare for the 32-hour trip, using patience, consistency and positive reinforcement to help him become comfortable with the process.
Harris traveled in a custom-built crate specifically designed to accommodate his size and weight. Two Houston Zoo team members remained alongside Harris to monitor his well-being and provide support along the way.
One of the most encouraging parts of the preparation was Harris’s response to his travel crate. Known for his chill, confident and curious personality, Harris approached his training with a calm, inquisitive attitude. He voluntarily spent hours inside the crate and even napped inside of it, proving he could comfortably sleep inside.
These were all positive signs that he was comfortable with his travel environment. While the team felt confident in the preparation and training he received, transporting an animal over such a long distance carries inherent risks, and there is always some uncertainty when undertaking a journey of this scale. His care team is took every precaution to support a safe and comfortable trip.
A partnership with a purpose
Harris’s journey represents more than a new beginning for one bongo. It reflects the power of collaboration between Houston Zoo and Taipei Zoo, whose relationship is strengthened by the longstanding sister-city partnership between Houston and Taipei.
By working together, our institutions can share knowledge, expertise and resources to advance animal care and support conservation efforts around the world. Coordinated breeding programs help maintain genetically diverse populations of threatened species, providing an important safeguard for their future.
Making this journey possible requires tremendous teamwork. Houston Zoo extends its sincere thanks to EVA Air and Evergreen Logistics for supporting Harris’s trip and helping bring this important conservation collaboration to life.
Harris made a special place in the hearts of his Houston Zoo care team, and will certainly be missed. The Zoo is proud of the dedication his team poured into preparing him for this next chapter and grateful to our partners in Taipei for helping advance the future of eastern bongos.
Join us in wishing Harris well as he settles into his new home where he will support the future of his remarkable species.
