An endangered species gained a new member at the Denver Zoo earlier this year, and while the Colorado-born baby bongo is settling in with her family, she’s still growing into her ears.
Read more House approves war powers resolution to halt military action against Iran
Frances, or Frannie, was born earlier in 2026 to mom Fern and dad Howard, the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance announced on Monday.
Frannie is an eastern or mountain bongo, which is one of the largest species of forest antelopes. Eastern bongos can grow up to 4.5 feet tall and 10 feet long and usually weigh between 460 and 900 pounds.
According to zoo officials, eastern bongos like Frannie are much less common than western bongos and are only found in the mountain forests of central Kenya, near Mt. Kenya and the Aberdare Range. Frannie’s large ears are an evolutionary adaptation that helps bongos have sharp hearing.
Known for being shy and reclusive, eastern bongos are also a critically endangered species. Conservation experts estimate there are fewer than 100 mountain bongos living in the wild, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Read more DIA chief Phil Washington retiring after 50 years of public service
As she grows into her ears, Frannie will also grow smooth, hollow, lyre-shaped horns like her parents, which can grow up to 2.5 feet long.
Visitors can see Frannie and her family in their habitat, which is across from the elephants and McGrath Family Amphitheater.
Get more Colorado news by signing up for our daily Your Morning Dozen email newsletter.
