Mountain bongos, one of the largest and rarest species of antelope in the world, are endemic to Kenya. However, so few of the animals remain in their native habitat that the Kenyan government has launched an ambitious effort to gather the animals from zoos and conservancies worldwide to restore the species in the wild. As part of the initiative, 17 bongos were recently repatriated from Florida, U.S.
On Feb. 23, the forest antelopes were flown from the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation in Florida to the Marania and Mucheene sanctuary, a breeding center for mountain bongos (Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci), in Meru, Kenya. There, they will be quarantined and slowly reintegrated into their natural ecosystem.
Kenya began repatriating mountain bongos from the U.S. with an in situ captive breeding program at the Mount Kenya Game Ranch. The initiative has developed several wild-population recovery strategies and in 2004, successfully repatriated the first group of 25 bongos to the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy.
“We now have 98 individuals that we are slowly integrating into the natural environment; we are happy that they are now reproducing as we have young ones among them,” Kenya Wildlife Service director-general Erastus Kanga said in a press briefing.
According to Kanga, Kenya is home to roughly 100 mountain bongos; that’s a drop from roughly 700 in the 1960s and 1970s.
The 17 bongos from Florida will inject much-needed genetic diversity for the species currently listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List.
“We are excited that they have been brought back to us. We are bringing back the biodiversity of a species that was extremely endangered. … We are looking at creating jobs for the local communities in the tourism sector,” Kanga said.
Kenya’s cabinet secretary for tourism, Rebecca Miano, said the country has a national action plan to continue growing the bongo population.
“Mountain bongos are a wildlife treasure among our animals; they are symbol of Kenya’s rich biodiversity. This moment is significant in our efforts to conserve and restore one of the world’s most endangered species,” Miano said in a press briefing.
Local authorities say the repatriation of bongos will also help restore ecosystems.
“As browsers, they help regulate vegetation, promoting biodiversity and ensuring the stability of forest habitats,” Paul Udoto, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) assistant director, told Mongabay in an email, adding, “By reintroducing these bongos into their former ranges, we are taking a crucial step toward restoring ecological balance and enhancing the resilience of these forests.”
The project has also involved the local community, which Udoto says is key for long-term success.
“This fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility, encouraging sustainable practices that protect both wildlife and livelihoods,” Udoto said.
Kenya is expecting another batch of mountain bongos from Europe in the next three months, according to KWS.
Banner image: The recent release of a mountain bongo. Photo courtesy of Martin Mutua, Kenya Wildlife Service.
This story first appeared on Mongabay
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