I’D LIKE TO KNOW

QPlease could you tell me about a creature with lovely markings that I saw on an animal channel some weeks ago? It was called a bongo, but unfortunately I only caught the last part of the programme, so I’d missed much of the information.

Mrs A.A., Long Eaton.

AThese beautiful animals are a species of antelope found in Africa, and you’re right that they have attractive markings, with each carrying around 10 to 15 stripes. The markings are great camouflage in the thick forests and jungles that the bongo inhabit. There are two sub-species – the lowland bongo and the mountain bongo. They grow impressive horns which, unlike deer, they don’t shed. If they can outwit their predators, such as leopards, bongos can live for almost 20 years in the wild.

They are rarely seen, due to their mainly nocturnal lifestyle, coupled with the fact they are shy creatures. The bongo is a herbivorous mammal, and sadly the International Union for Conservation of Nature considers the mountain bongo to be critically endangered, with more in captivity than in the wild, while the lowland bongo is regarded as near threatened.

QDid actor Richard Beckinsale have another daughter other than Kate Beckinsale, who appeared in “London’s Burning”?

Ms J.S., Manchester.

ARichard Arthur Beckinsale was best known for playing the role of lovable Lennie Godber, cell mate to Ronnie Barker’s Fletcher in the BBC sitcom “Porridge”. Richard was father to daughters Kate and Samantha Beckinsale.

It was actually Samantha who featured in “London’s Burning”, while Kate has had TV and film roles. Richard tragically died at just thirty-one years of age.

QMy friend told me that Gabby Logan once represented Great Britain in the Olympics, but he couldn’t remember in what discipline. Can you help?

Miss L.K., Aberdeen.

AGabby was a gymnast and she represented Wales at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland.