We are the only project in the world dedicated to the conservation of Kenya’s endemic antelope and its forest habitat
The Bongo Surveillance Project’s mission is to protect and conserve the critically endangered mountain bongo and its habitat, by working with local communities and stakeholders worldwide. Our objectives are: to safeguard the current population of mountain bongo and enhance their numbers through rewilding and sustainable management of natural resources.
Our vision is to preserve the existence of the bongo in the wild and collaborate with partners to protect their genetic diversity, ensuring a stable population in their natural habitat.
We protect the mountain bongo
We save the forest ecosystem
We engage the community
The mountain bongo
The mountain bongo was first introduced to Europeans at the close of the last century as an “Antelope like a Zebra, with horns, but coulored like a bushbuck with white stripes on either side”. The Wandorobo forest dwellers told hunters about a mystical antelope in the high mountain forests.
The mountain bongo was first officially mentioned in a letter dated 13 August 1901 from a Major in the Uganda Rifles stationed at Eldama Ravine in Kenya, describing a Bongo antelope skin brought in by the Wandorobo.
A life devoted to the conservation of the mountain bongo
The number of bongos declined throughout the 1900s due to habitat loss, domestic grazing, and poaching. Concerns arose that the species may be extinct, with few sightings since 1988. In 2003, Mike Prettejohn was tasked with studying the bongos by the Kenyan Wildlife Service, due to his exceptional knowledge of the Kenyan high forests, and with his first hand tracking skills.
Mike Prettejohn, has lived in Kenya all his life and started his career in cattle ranching. His surveillance and tracking evidence led to the Mountain Bongo being classified as “Critically Endangered on the IUCN RED LIST in 2008”. This brought to the attention of the public and conservation world the Mountain Bongo’s status and to prevent extinction action had to be taken.
Protecting the mountains bongo and its forest habitat is a challenging task, but together, we can have a positive impact. Contact us now to find out how you can contribute.
We are grateful to our international and local partners, as well as individual contributors, for the photos used on this website. Thank you for your support.
