Rare bongo antelopes return to Kenya from Czech zoo

Four critically endangered mountain bongos have been returned to Kenya from a zoo in the Czech Republic to support conservation efforts. Fewer than 100 remain in the wild. The animals will undergo quarantine before joining the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy for breeding to strengthen the population’s genetic diversity and aid long-term survival.

Four critically endangered mountain bongos have been transported back to Kenya as part of a conservation effort aimed at restoring the species to its native habitat after spending several years under human care at a zoo in the Czech Republic. The animals were carefully moved from the Dvůr Králové Zoo and are expected to play an important role in ongoing breeding and reintroduction programmes designed to save the species from extinction.
Mountain bongos are rare forest antelopes easily identified by their striking reddish-brown coats marked with bold white stripes. They are considered critically endangered mainly due to long-term threats such as poaching, habitat loss, and outbreaks of diseases that have significantly reduced their population over the years.
According to the Kenyan government, fewer than 100 mountain bongos are believed to remain in the wild today. A major decline occurred in the 1980s when a devastating rinderpest disease outbreak killed thousands of wild animals, forcing conservationists to move some of the remaining bongos to Europe to protect them from complete extinction.
The four returning bongos were flown back to Kenya in wooden crates aboard a KLM cargo flight. They arrived safely at the country’s main airport, where they were received by senior government officials, including Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Tourism Minister Rebecca Miano. The officials described the arrival as a significant conservation achievement and referred to it as a “homecoming of the majestic bongos,” highlighting the emotional and ecological importance of the event.
This marks the third time in recent years that mountain bongos have been returned to Kenya from international conservation centres, with the most recent return having taken place in February 2025.
Following their arrival, the animals will undergo a mandatory quarantine period to ensure they are in good health and to allow them to gradually adjust to the local environment. After this acclimatization process, they will be transferred to the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy. The conservancy currently hosts about 102 bongos and serves as a major breeding and conservation centre for the species before eventual reintroduction into protected forest areas.
The Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy operates a National Recovery and Action Plan for the Mountain Bongo in collaboration with the Kenyan government. Through this programme, conservationists aim to strengthen the population by carefully managing breeding programmes and increasing genetic diversity. The addition of the four newly arrived bongos is expected to support interbreeding efforts and improve the long-term survival chances of the species.
The Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Kenya, Nicol Adamcova, noted that the relocation reflects a strong and long-standing partnership between both countries in wildlife conservation. She emphasized that the collaboration demonstrates a shared responsibility in protecting endangered species and restoring biodiversity.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi also praised the initiative, stating that such achievements highlight what can be accomplished when government policy, scientific expertise, and international cooperation work together toward a common conservation goal. He assured continued government support for strengthening conservation frameworks and safeguarding Kenya’s natural heritage.
Tourism Minister Rebecca Miano added that the introduction of genetically diverse mountain bongos is a crucial step in improving the species’ breeding strength and resilience. She explained that increasing genetic variation is essential for building a stable and sustainable population capable of surviving in the wild.