Kenya has received 17 mountain bongos, a critically endangered species of antelope, from a conservation center in the United States. These animals are third-generation descendants of bongos originally taken from Kenya in the 1960s.
The return of these rare antelopes is seen as a major step in conservation efforts. The mountain bongo population in Kenya has declined drastically, with fewer than 100 estimated to remain in the wild due to habitat loss, poaching, disease, and other threats.
Upon their arrival at the country’s main airport, the antelopes were transported to wildlife sanctuaries in Meru County near Mount Kenya. There, they will undergo a gradual adaptation process before being introduced into their natural habitat. Conservation officials hope to increase the population to 700 by 2050.
The mountain bongo, known for its reddish-brown coat with narrow white stripes, is the largest forest-dwelling antelope in Africa. More of these animals exist in captivity than in the wild, making their return to Kenya crucial for their survival.
The first repatriation of mountain bongos to Kenya occurred in 2004 when 18 individuals were brought back. Some of them successfully adapted to the wild and began breeding, though others succumbed to tick-borne diseases. Conservationists emphasize the importance of a carefully managed adaptation process to build immunity and ensure survival.
Kenya is expecting another group of mountain bongos from European zoos in the coming months, continuing efforts to restore the species in its natural environment.
