Bongo Relocation

On Sunday February 23rd, 17 mountain bongos were safely repatriated from Florida to a specially designed sanctuary on the northeastern slope of Mt Kenya...

VIEW the full film of the Bongo relocation HERE.

READ the full story HERE.

Bongos arrive in JKIA on a DHL Boeing 767 on Feb 23rd at 21:00. DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as “The logistics company for the world”. Credit: Peter Ndung’u (Lewa Wildlife Conservancy)

Bongos arrive in JKIA on a DHL Boeing 767 on Feb 23rd at 21:00 B

Bongos are systematically and carefully removed from the aircraft and transferred on to the back of three flatbed truck. DHL is part of DHL Group. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. DHL Group aims to achieve net-zero emissions logistics by 2050. Credit: Peter Ndung’u (Lewa Wildlife Conservancy)

Bongos are systematically and carefully removed from the aircraft and transferred on to the back of three flatbed trucks.

Bongos are transported 250km from Nairobi to Mt. Kenya. Credit: Peter Ndung'u (Lewa Wildlife Conservancy)

KWS and MBRCT veterinarians prepare a second dose of vaccines to administer to the bongos prior to their release.

On Sunday February 23rd, 17 mountain bongos were safely repatriated from Palm Beach County, Florida to a specially designed sanctuary on the northeastern slope of Mt Kenya. The bongos’ arrival significantly advances Kenya’s long-term recovery of this iconic and critically endangered flagship species. The new bongo sanctuary is managed by the Meru Bongo and Rhino Conservation Trust (MBRCT), Kenya’s first-ever, conservation-related, public-private-community partnership. Credit: Peter Ndung’u (Lewa Wildlife Conservancy)

One of the 12 female bongos touches Kenyan soil for the first time.

The repatriated bongos were donated to the government of Kenya by the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation (RSCF) in Florida, USA, which has researched, bred and managed mountain bongos since 1991. The complex shipment was achieved through close collaboration between RSCF, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Tusk, DHL and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). Credit: Peter Ndung’u (Lewa Wildlife Conservancy)

Bongo settling in to the new sanctuary in Kenya.

RSCF carefully selected 17 bongos from its large breeding herds. To prepare them for travel, they were segregated for pre-shipment testing and preparation, in a specially designed corral-chute system. They were vaccinated for pathogens and given a pioneering, recombinant-DNA vaccine to help protect against tick-borne disease. The bongos were transported in custom-built crates, alongside six tons of pelleted feed. Three US animal-care experts, including a wildlife veterinarian, accompanied the animals during their journey. Credit: Rare Species Conservatory Foundation

Immobilized bongo tested for pre-shipment quarantine at RSCF, USA.

RSCF is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization dedicated to preserving biodiversity through hands-on conservation programs rooted in sound science. Flagship species breeding and conservation efforts, along with fieldbased research, habitat protection and local capacity building, are directed toward long-term, regional-scale biodiversity preservation. Credit: Rare Species Conservatory Foundation

Bongo being habituated into loading corrals at RSCF, USA.

The mountain bongos’ return to Kenya occurred approximately 20 generations since their export to Europe and the U.S. in the early 1970s. The 2025 repatriation marks the culmination of decades of careful planning, breeding, and reintroduction work aimed at restoring bongo populations across their former range. Credit: Rare Species Conservatory Foundation

Bongo crated and loading onto transport truck to Palm Beach International Airport, USA.

As one of Kenya's flagship species, the mountain bongo personifies Kenya’s high-mountain forest ecosystems. Bongo conservation offers far-reaching benefits to the landscape, contributing to the conservation of many other species of fauna and flora that share its habitat. MBRCT Trustee, Faith Murithi said: “Bongos are the most wonderful animals I have ever seen in Kenya. The bongos arrived well, and we are proud for them to be here. We will take the initiative once again to care for these animals." Credit: Rare Species Conservatory Foundation

Female Bongo crated for transport at RSCF, USA.

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