THE STANDARD
Mountain bongo antelopes are said to be endangered species. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard]
Perhaps it is their almost mysterious shyness that makes mountain bongos rare, always retreating into the toughest terrains within their natural ranges.
The Mountain bongo, a beautiful, elusive and coppery red antelope with white stripes and spiral horns, is the largest forest antelope and can only be found in the wild in Kenya. They are only found in their natural habitat in Aberdare, Mt Kenya and Eburu forests.
Mountain bongo has been classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with its population in the wild having declined to less than 100 individuals due to poaching, diseases and destruction of habitat because of human encroachment.
These elusive creatures picking their way through the undergrowth are Mountain Bongos.
The white striped, spiral horned and coppery red forest antelopes can only be found in the wild in Kenya.
And they are even a rare sight here.
The Mountain Bongo have been driven to near extinction, according to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).
Ecologist Mordecai Ogada says it is a very special species . It s endemic to Kenya, highly endangered, less than 100 individuals known to be left in the wild, and that is why this species is really important.
The animals have been hunted for their bush meat and for their prized coat, skull and curved horns.
The East African
Friday December 25 2020
There are less than 100 Mountain Bongo antelope left in the wild across the world. PHOTO | FILE | NMG
Summary
The sanctuary will enable the rewilding of the animals and provide the National Bongo Task Force with animals to reintroduce into indigenous habitats such as Ragati, Eburu, Mau and Aberdares forests.
This will help achieve a sustainable population in line with the National Mountain Bongo Recovery and Action Plan 2019-2023.
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With less than 100 of the critically endangered Mountain Bongo antelope left in the wild across the world, Kenya recently launched a campaign to save the rare African antelope.
The Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy (MKWC) joined hands with the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, and other key stakeholders to launch the Mawingu Mountain Bongo Sanctuary, an 800 acre indigenous forest area on the slopes of Mount Kenya.
The Sanctuary is a fundamental element in the conservation of the species and represents the next step in its breeding program. It will enable the rewilding of the animals and provide the National Bongo Task Force with individuals for reintroduction into indigenous habitats such as Ragati, Eburu, Mau and Aberdares forests with the aim to achieve a sustainable population in line with the National Mountain Bongo Recovery and Action Plan 2019-2023.