Critically endangered mountain bongos return to Kenya after years in Czech zoo in win for conservation efforts

It’s estimated that fewer than 100 of the animals remain in the wild
Four critically endangered mountain bongos have returned to their native Kenya after years under the care of a zoo in the Czech Republic , marking a significant boost for conservation efforts.

The rare antelopes, distinctive for their striking stripes, are classified as critically endangered due to poaching and widespread diseases.

The Kenyan government estimates fewer than 100 mountain bongos remain in the wild.

Many were originally sent to Europe in the 1980s following a devastating rinderpest outbreak that decimated thousands.

The four animals arrived from Dvur Kralove Zoo, transported in wooden crates aboard a KLM cargo flight to Kenya’s main airport.

This marks the third such return in recent years, with the last one being in February 2025.

Following a period of quarantine and acclimatisation, the bongos will be transferred to the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, which currently houses 102 bongos, before their eventual release into the wild.

The conservancy, in collaboration with the government, operates a National Recovery and Action Plan for the Mountain Bongo, intending to use these new arrivals to interbreed and strengthen the existing gene pool.

Kenyan-raised nature explorers and filmmakers Jahawi and Elke Bertolli said that the new bongos will bring genetic variation that is critical for their conservation.

They added that the species plays a key role in protecting the forests that are vital to Kenya’s water supply.

“I commend all stakeholders involved and assure you of Government’s unwavering support in strengthening conservation frameworks and ensuring that Kenya’s biodiversity continues to thrive,” he said.

Ms Miano said that bringing in genetically diverse bongos is a critical step to strengthen the species' breeding resilience.