[PHOTOS] CS Najib Balala opens Bongo Sanctuary in Nanyuki

Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Najib Balala on Wednesday officially opened the Mawingu Mountain Bongo Sanctuary, Nanyuki.

“In partnership with Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya Wildlife Services, Kenya Forest Service and the Ministry of Tourism, we have today officially opened the Mawingu Mountain Bongo Sanctuary.”

Balala has reported that they have released five Mountain Bongos in the sanctuary and added that every year, ten Bongos will be translocated to the Sanctuary in groups of five every six months.

“It is estimated that by 2025, the Sanctuary will have 50-70 fully rewilded Mountain Bongos,” Balala said.

The Mountain Bongo National Recovery and Action Plan was launched in 2019 to help Kenya achieve a Bongo population of 750 by 2050.

Accordng to KWS,the number of Mountain Bongos is estimated at 100 currently.

They are found in Mount Kenya Forest, Aberdare Forest, Eburu Forest and Mau Forest.

Mountain Bongos are a subspecies of antelopes and are critically endangered.