17 Rare Mountain Bongos Returned to Kenya

Nairobi, Feb 24 (NationPress) Kenya has welcomed 17 mountain bongos from the United States, marking a significant achievement in the ongoing efforts to revive the population of this rare antelope species, native only to Kenya. Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano expressed her excitement, stating, "These 17 bongos will create a foundational population at the Marania and Mucheene sanctuary in Meru County, where they will be cared for, safeguarded, and eventually reintroduced into their natural environments." The mountain bongos, regarded as a national treasure and a unique emblem of Kenya's diverse wildlife, were brought back from the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation in Florida, where they had been taken in the 1960s. This group of 17 antelopes represents the third generation of critically endangered mountain bongos residing in Florida. Miano remarked, "The return of these mountain bongos is not merely a victory for conservation; it embodies hope and renewal for the biodiversity of Kenya. This initiative showcases the accomplishments we can achieve through collaboration across various borders, disciplines, and communities." This repatriation aligns with the National Recovery and Action Plan for the Mountain Bongo, which targets an increase of the population to 750 individuals over the next 50 years. Once flourishing in the highland forests of Kenya, the mountain bongo population has dramatically dwindled over the past 50 years due to habitat loss, poaching, and disease, as noted by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). Currently, fewer than 100 mountain bongos exist in the wild, making this repatriation vital for their survival, according to KWS. The 17 bongos, including 12 females and 5 males, will establish a founding population at the Marania and Mucheene sanctuary in eastern Kenya, formed through a collaborative effort involving KWS, the Rhino Conservation Trust, and local communities. This sanctuary will act as a breeding and rewilding center, aiming to reintroduce the bongos into their natural habitats, as reported by Xinhua. KWS Director General Erustus Kanga emphasized the importance of conservation and the necessity for collective action. He mentioned that the bongos will initially be housed in an isolation facility at the sanctuary for at least three months for acclimatization. Technical experts from the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation will remain on-site to offer guidance and assistance during this crucial period.