By Ongaga Ongaga
Kenya has received four rare Mountain Bongos in a significant boost to efforts aimed at restoring the critically endangered species, marking what officials have described as a historic homecoming.
The four male bongos arrived Tuesday night at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport aboard a KLM cargo flight from the Czech Republic, where they had been under the care of Safari Park Dvůr Králové.
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The reception was led by Musalia Mudavadi and Rebecca Miano, alongside key conservation stakeholders.
Speaking during the event, Erustus Kanga described the moment as “a moment of hope, responsibility, and renewed commitment” to securing the future of one of the world’s rarest large mammals.
The bongos will be housed at Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, which now hosts 102 individuals. Conservancy patron Humphrey Kariuki noted that the addition of the four males will help strengthen the gene pool and enhance breeding resilience.
Nicol Adamcova said the translocation underscores the strong conservation partnership between Kenya and the Czech Republic, adding that it reflects a shared commitment to protecting endangered species.
CS Miano emphasized that introducing genetically diverse bongos is critical for long-term survival, while Mudavadi said the milestone demonstrates what can be achieved through “policy, science, and collaboration.”
The translocation is part of Kenya’s National Recovery and Action Plan for the Mountain Bongo, a species native to the country’s highland forests. Conservationists say the move brings Kenya closer to restoring the animals to their natural habitats.
