Bongo Repatriation
Project Update

July 2007 Update:

The first half of 2007 signifies an impressive line up of new additions to the herd with "American Ancestry"

In 2004 American Zoological Institutions joined hands with the Bongo Species Survival Plan in returning 18 of their Zoo bred bongo with Kenyan ancestry to the soil of their origin.

Eleven baby bongo have since been born to that herd kept in the safety of the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy.

In May we welcomed the first of the 'second generation' born to the repatriated American "grandmothers" as a part of the Conservancy's bongo rehabilitation to Mount Kenya program.

These are Amana out of Tumaini and Uhuru out of Miss Kenya.

Some of the births this year were sired by our magnificent Conservancy bred bull "NOAH".

All our young bongo are raised with as little human interference as possible. The Conservancy has a team of trained and dedicated staff that keep a watchful eye as these new mothers are encouraged to raise their young in a relative natural environment.

They make sure that plenty of fresh browse is available for the animals as well as fresh water, minerals and other veterinary requirements are met when necessary.

Meanwhile a small group of mature bongo have entered an advanced stage towards rehabilitation. They are kept in a forest wilderness area where they encounter other wild animals. A natural stream provides fresh mountain water and the vegetation is the same as they will find after their eventual release. We make contact with humans rare and unpleasant so as to rekindle their instinctive fear of man needed for survival in the wild.

The Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy's Bongo Rehabilitation program was named amongst the three most important wildlife projects worldwide in 2006 (by AZA)

We are grateful to all our supporters the world over without whom this project could not progress. The success of this program is directly dependent on your sponsorship.


Background Information on the Bongo Project