History
The Bongo Surveillance Project is the only organisation in the world that is 100% dedicated towards saving the mountain bongo. The project was founded in 2004 in the Aberdare forests of central Kenya, to study and protect the fragile population that lives in this area.
In 2003, Mike Prettejohn was approached by the Aberdare Park Warden, John Muhanga, asking after the mountain bongo and whether he thought they had gone extinct after declining bongo sightings in the wild. From this alarming wakeup call, the Bongo Surveillance Project was formed. Today, there are dedicated tracking teams operating in each of the four remaining bongo protection areas: 1) Mau Forest Complex; 2) Mt. Kenya National Park; 3) Aberdare National Park; and 4) Eburru Forest Reserve.
Led by founder Mike Prettejohn, the teams of experienced trackers gather data about the presence and distribution of the remaining mountain bongo, as well monitoring human activity within the indigenous forests where they are found.
BSP also delivers an education outreach programme to engage local communities in the conservation of the bongo and their habitats, for the benefit of both people and wildlife. With the monitoring and habitat protection activities well underway, it soon became clear that the communities living adjacent to the forests were crucial to supporting the conservation efforts of BSP, and the best way to do this was through schools. Therefore, BSP set up School Wildlife Clubs and various community improvement projects to create more local investment in Kenya’s natural heritage. The education programme, led by Peter Munene, has reached over 30,000 community members and school pupils over the last 19 years.
It is no exaggeration to say that this small group of committed Kenyans can consider themselves responsible for bringing the plight of the mountain bongo into the public consciousness. Through their dedication and hard work, they have shed light on the threatened species and raised awareness about the importance of conservation efforts. Their efforts have not only helped to protect the mountain bongo but have also inspired others to join in the fight to save this rare and beautiful animal. Thanks to their advocacy, the mountain bongo now has a better chance at survival in the wild
areas of operation
The Bongo Surveillance Project was initiated in the Aberdare forests with the primary goal of studying and safeguarding the vulnerable bongo population that inhabits this region. Over time, the project has evolved and extended its scope to include various other critical habitats within Kenya: Ragati on Mt Kenya, Eburru (formerly part of the Mau Forest), the Aberdare Salient, Maasai Mau, and the larger Mau Complex.
By broadening their focus to cover these diverse areas, the project aims to gather comprehensive data on bong populations across different landscapes, and implement conservation strategies tailored to each unique environment.
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Sangare Conservancy, Mweiga, Aberdare National Park, Kenya