East Africa / Kenya · Mountain Bongo Recovery
Less than 100 remain in the wild.
For over 30 years, RSCF has been the leading force behind saving the critically endangered Mountain Bongo Antelope.
THE PROGRAM
A 30-year Mission to Bring the Bongo Back
The Mountain Bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci) is the world's largest and most endangered forest antelope, endemic to Kenya's high-mountain forests. Once widespread, populations collapsed during the 20th century.
Since 1991, RSCF's Florida facility has become a vital stronghold, housing robust multi-generational breeding groups. RSCF's work has always been aimed at one goal: true recovery in the wild, not preservation in captivity.
Mountain bongo released at the new Mt. Kenya sanctuary, February 2025
PROGRAM HISTORY
Thirty Years of Milestones
1991
Breeding Program Founded
RSCF begins breeding Mountain Bongos at its Florida facility, the first dedicated U.S. recovery program.
2004
First Repatriation
18 bongos repatriated from the U.S. to Kenya , the first return of the species to its homeland.
2021
Meru Bongo/Rhino Trust
Phase 2 begins. A broad public-private coalition formally establishes Kenya's first conservation trust.
2025
Historic 17-Bongo Repatriation
17 bongos fly 7,146 nm to Mt. Kenya ~20 generations since their ancestors left.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - MARCH 26, 2025
17 Mountain Bongo Arrive in Kenya, Marking a Historic Milestone for Conservation
Nairobi, Kenya · February 23, 2025
On Sunday February 23rd, 17 mountain bongos were safely repatriated from Loxahatchee, Florida to a specially designed sanctuary on the northeastern slope of Mt. Kenya.
"There is simply no higher calling for humanity than to protect what remains of nature."
— Dr. Paul Reillo, RSCF Founder and President
The repatriated bongos were donated to the government of Kenya by RSCF, which has researched, bred, and managed mountain bongos since 1991. RSCF carefully selected 17 bongos comprising 12 females and five males from its large breeding herds.
To prepare them for the 30-hour journey, the animals were vaccinated for pathogens and given a pioneering recombinant-DNA vaccine developed specifically for the project to protect against tick-borne disease. They traveled in a Mountain-Bongo-branded DHL Boeing 767, accompanied by three U.S. animal-care experts including a wildlife veterinarian.
"Seeing them set foot on Kenyan soil again is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when organizations work together."
— Mike Watson, CEO, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
"Conservation is a shared duty requiring the involvement of all , government, community, private sector, and international collaborators."
— Rebecca Miano, Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife
Upon arrival, Kenya Wildlife Service transported the animals 250 kilometers by road to a 20-acre sanctuary on the slopes of Mt. Kenya — built by Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and the Meru Bongo and Rhino Conservation Trust. The sanctuary is managed by Kenya's first conservation-related public-private-community partnership.
KEY FACTS:
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· Less than 100 mountain bongos remain in the wild.
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The mountain bongo antelope is the world’s largest and most endangered forest antelope, endemic to Kenya’s high-mountain forests.
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The 2025 bongo repatriation marks approximately 20 bongo generations since their original export to the U.S. and Europe during the early 1970s.
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Bongos have been bred and managed for species recovery by the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation (RSCF) in Florida, USA since 1991. RSCF partnered with the United Nations to spearhead the first bongo repatriation to Kenya in 2004. All of the animals were donated by RSCF to the Kenyan government. The mountain bongos were segregated for pre-shipment testing and preparation, as per Kenya Wildlife Service protocols, in a specially designed corral-chute system.
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Principal project partners are members of the Meru Bongo and Rhino Conservation Trust: Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forest Service, Meru County Government, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kamulu and Ntimaka Community Forest Associations and the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation. Other project partners include Tusk Trust and DHL.
PHOTO GALLERY
The Journey Home
Bongo pre-shipment corrals at RSCF
Bongo settling in at the new sanctuary
COALITION
Built on Partnership
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
Built the Mt. Kenya Sanctuary
and led in-country logistics
Florida Tropical Conservation Institute
Scientific expertise and
research infastructure.
Kenya Wildlife Service
Oversees national bongo
recovery policy
Meru Bongo/Rhino
Conservation Trust
Kenya's first conservation public-private-community
partnership.
Tusk Trust
International conservation
charity supporting the recovery
DHL Express
Dedicated Boeing 767 for the 7,416 nautical mile journey.
LOOKING AHEAD
What Comes Next
Kenyan Acclimatization
Repatriated bongos serve as founders, gradually acclimated to wild conditions over future generations within the sanctuary.
Population Expansion
Future translocations will seed bongo populations across the Aberdares, Mau, Eburu, and Mt. Kenya ecosystems.
Community Integration
17 local jobs created so far. Schools and health clinic support is underway, conservation as community development.
