Mountain Bongos to Kenya: Project Update
Four mountain bongos from EAZA Member zoos are settling into their new home in Kenya, with breeding introductions starting soon.
Mountain bongo repatriation to strengthen Kenya’s breeding and rewilding efforts
21 July 2026
Earlier this year, EAZA and partners announced an important step in the conservation of the critically endangered mountain bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci): the repatriation of four male bongos from the EAZA Ex situ Programme (EEP) to Kenya.
The EEP (whose Coordinator is based at Chester Zoo, UK) selected the animals from five EAZA Member zoos: Prague Zoo (Czechia), Givskud Zoo (Denmark), Frankfurt Zoo and Tierpark Berlin (Germany), and National Zoo Bojnice (Slovakia). Under EAZA’s auspices, Safari Park Dvůr Králové (Czechia) coordinated the animals’ preparation as well as the transfer itself. The selected males were chosen for their valuable genetics and their potential to strengthen the breeding population at Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy.
Following a final, detailed genetic analysis, four of the five bongos were identified as the best matches for the females in Kenya. The remaining bongo stayed in Europe, where a suitable placement as a breeding male will be sought within the EEP.
After months of veterinary preparation, quarantine and careful transport planning, the four bongos arrived safely in Kenya on 29 April 2026.
Since their arrival, the bulls have remained in good general health and are continuing to acclimatise well to their new environment. They are showing increasing confidence as they explore and adapt to their external enclosures.
As part of the next stage of the integration process, five females have been moved into integration bomas adjacent to the male pens. The males will be gradually introduced to the females in a controlled sequence, allowing the animals to become familiar with one another in a monitored environment.
The animals will continue under careful supervision, with the aim of supporting successful breeding and contributing to the long-term recovery of the mountain bongo in Kenya.
Pictures © Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
Partner media links
EAZA: website, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
Chester Zoo: website, Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, LinkedIn
Safari Park Dvůr Králové: website, Facebook, Instagram
Prague Zoo: website, Facebook (general zoo and conservation account), Instagram (general zoo and conservation account)
Givskud Zoo – Zootopia: website, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
Zoo Berlin: website, Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, LinkedIn
Zoo Bojnice: website, Facebook, Instagram
Kenya Wildlife Service: website, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy: website, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn