The critically endangered Mountain Bongos, recently repatriated from the United States to Kenya, are acclimating to their new environment, albeit with an unexpected challenge – jet lag.
Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano provided the update Wednesday, February 26, 2025, via a post on X.
“I am informed that our Mountain Bongos from majuu are settling well in Magical Kenya save for a little jet lag. @KWSKenya @PSMuseiya,” Miano wrote, referring to the long journey the animals undertook.
The 17 Bongos arrived in Nairobi on Sunday, February 23, 2025, aboard a chartered cargo plane and were welcomed by Miano and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officials.
The relocation marked a significant step in conservation efforts aimed at reviving the dwindling population of the elusive antelope, endemic to Kenya.
“Their return is a powerful step in our mission to restore and protect Kenya’s rich biodiversity,” Miano said during a brief ceremony at the airport.
The Mountain Bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci) is a striking animal, distinguished by its deep chestnut-red coat, white vertical stripes, and long, spiralled horns.
As the largest of the forest antelopes, males can weigh up to 400 kilograms (880 pounds) and stand as tall as 128 centimetres (50 inches) at the shoulder.
According to the Kenya Wildlife Service, fewer than 100 Mountain Bongos remain in the wild, confined to four forested regions: Mount Kenya, the Aberdares, the Mau Complex, and Eburu Forest.
Their numbers have plummeted from approximately 500 in the 1970s, largely due to habitat loss, poaching, disease, and genetic isolation from fragmented populations.
Listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of threatened species, the Mountain Bongo has been the focus of international breeding and conservation programs.
The 17 individuals recently returned to Kenya had been part of a breeding initiative in the United States aimed at preserving genetic diversity.
“Without intervention, the Mountain Bongo is unlikely to survive in the wild long-term. This reintroduction complements efforts to protect their habitats and curtail illegal activities threatening their existence,” Wildlife Principal Secretary Peter Museiya said.
Bongos are known for their secretive nature, often inhabiting dense montane forests.
They have a gestation period of approximately 270 days, with females capable of breeding until around 16 years of age.
Twins are exceedingly rare.
Behavioural quirks include wallowing in mud to protect their skin and rubbing it onto trees, as well as a diverse vocal range of grunts, snorts, and clicks.
The repatriated antelopes are currently under close observation in a secure sanctuary, where conservationists are monitoring their health and adapting them to local conditions.
Experts expect the animals’ jet lag symptoms, manifesting in disrupted feeding and rest patterns, to subside within days.
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