Kenya has received 17 critically endangered mountain bongos from a conservation center in the United States, marking a significant step in efforts to restore the species. These antelopes are third-generation descendants of mountain bongos that were taken from Kenya in the 1960s.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) estimates that fewer than 100 mountain bongos remain in the wild, down from around 500 in the 1970s. Habitat loss, poaching, disease, and fragmented populations have contributed to their drastic decline.
Tourism Minister Rebecca Miano described the return of the bongos as an emotional and historic moment, emphasizing its impact on conservation and tourism. Upon arrival at Kenya’s main airport, the animals were transported to sanctuaries in Meru County near Mount Kenya, where they will undergo a gradual adaptation process before being reintroduced into their natural habitat.
The long-term goal, according to Miano, is to increase the wild population to 700 by 2050. KWS director-general Erastus Kanga also announced that another batch of mountain bongos is expected from European zoos in the coming months.
The mountain bongo, distinguished by its striking chestnut-red coat with narrow white stripes, is the largest African forest-dwelling antelope. It is listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with more individuals in captivity than in the wild.
Kenya previously repatriated 18 mountain bongos in 2004. While some successfully integrated into the wild and began breeding, others succumbed to tick-borne diseases, highlighting the challenges of rewilding captive-born animals. Conservationists are optimistic that with careful adaptation, these newly arrived bongos will thrive and contribute to the species’ recovery.