Four mountain bongos flown home to Kenya
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- Mountain bongos — only about 100 individuals remain in the wild, all endemic to Kenya’s highland forests (Aberdares, Mount Kenya, Mau, Eburu).
- Four male bongos (Fitz, Maue, Kudu, Bon64) were transferred from a Czech quarantine facility to Kenya aboard a cargo plane that landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
- Ngenoh Erick Kibet spent two weeks in Czechia with animal keeper Christine Gichohi learning the bongos’ routines and building trust before the repatriation.
- Chester Zoo led the repatriation effort in collaboration with Kenya Wildlife Service and the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums, providing expertise and logistical support.
- The transport team increased manpower and continuously monitored the bongos’ breathing and movement during the flight to ensure their safety.
Why it matters: Kenya’s wildlife agencies gain four breeding males, expanding the genetic pool of a species with fewer than 100 wild individuals, a direct boost to the rescue effort.
