By Ken Muthomi - Reporter
Kenya, April 29, 2026 - Four male Mountain Bongos have been flown back into the country from the Czech Republic in a significant step toward restoring the critically endangered species.
The bongos, which were under specialised care at Zoo Dvůr Králové, were received on Tuesday night by senior government officials, including Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, and Czech Republic Ambassador Nicol Adamcova, among others.
The Kenya Wildlife Service has transferred the four animals to the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, which is home to over 100 others.
“Arriving on a KLM cargo flight from the Czech Republic, where they had been under the care of Zoo Dvůr Králové, the four males now join a growing population at MKWC,” KWS stated.
“As Humphrey Kariuki, patron MKWC, shared, the conservancy is now home to 102 bongos, and the addition of these four,” it added.
Characterised by a chestnut coat with white stripes and long spiralled horns, the Mountain Bongo is one of Africa’s rarest forest antelopes. Fewer than 80 individuals are believed to remain in the wild, mostly in Central Kenya.
Historically, the species ranged across forests including the Aberdare Range, Mount Kenya, South West Mau Forest, Maasai Mau Forest, Mau Eburu Forest, and the Cherangani Hills. However, the Aberdare ecosystem remains its main stronghold today.
Conservationists say habitat loss, poaching, disease, and forest fragmentation have contributed to the decline of the antelopes.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi attributed the repatriation of the four to collaboration between the government and international conservationists.
CS Miano said that the introduction of genetically diverse bongos is a critical step in strengthening breeding resilience in the country.
Ambassador Nicol Adamcova noted that the translocation of the four reflects the long-standing partnership between the Czech Republic and Kenya in conservation and protecting endangered species.
“For KWS, this moment carries deeper meaning. As Prof. Erustus Kanga put it, it is “a moment of hope, responsibility, and renewed commitment” to securing the future of one of the world’s rarest large mammals,” KWS stated.
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