It has been an exciting long year!

Duma Duke has not been too talkative of late. Exercising his well-earned right of seniority, he prefers to laze around, showing off his still impressive magnificence.

He and siblings are up early each morning on their high “throne” overlooking all the other residents of the Orphanage and the Conservancy’s plains beyond.

Not quite expected so soon, our “New Years’s baby” arrived a few days early… this precious fawn, born on Christmas day is our newest and as yet very shy baby bongo. Instinct demands the infant antelope to stay hidden, safe where “Mom” left it in some bushes in the suni sanctuary. For now only “mom” is aware of its sex. We do not interfere and let ultimate privacy ensure the well-being of the precious new born.

Soon though curiosity will win and the new arrival will join the other youngsters.

We are now feeding 80 bongo and counting.

While this is an overwhelming sight and signifies great success, it also presents great problems in the pocket book. Animal feeds alone have doubled in price over the last 12 months. So have costs of vet care, fuel, man power and everything else. We are budgeting with great care and our senior staff and keepers have been wonderful not demanding double pay as so many other striking workers all over the country.

The good news is that the rains have been plentiful and Kenyans expect a bumper harvest. For the Conservancy that means lots of grass for our free ranging animals.

The excellent rains also give the forest a chance to recuperate from the recent drought, making conditions perfect for a scheduled release of our bongo onto Mount Kenya.

We are ready! Working closely with the Kenya Wildlife Service there have been numerous delays. The main hold up is that the Wildlife Service has not felt comfortable with ensuring the safety of the animals once they are beyond our own care. They need to reinforce their anti poaching patrols and there is talk of further fencing sections of Mount Kenya. It all makes great sense to wait until conditions are improved in that respect.

The future looks bright although the long wait brings other challenges. To continue with our successful breeding of this vanishing species, more “bomas” for their safekeeping have to be constructed, increasing amounts of food have to be purchased, vaccinations and veterinary care doubles. More dedicated keepers have to be found and trained and financial help is desperately needed to continue with the project.

Meanwhile, we are happy to report that the white Zebra we rescued and saved from extinction are now successfully re-established in the vast forests of Mount Kenya and can often be seen grazing on the glades.

Similarly, many of our breeding troupes of Colobus monkeys are now well established and once again thriving in the forest above. Some of them return time after time to visit their relatives still at the orphanage, much to the delight of our own human visitors.

Many more orphans, too many to mention have been treated and released this year. Some of them have returned, insisting that the orphanage is their rightful place and we do not deny them to come back into the home of their choice. This is why you may see some animals in residence at their old place in the Orphanage even after release to the wild.

This year we also celebrated Bwana Don’s eightieth birthday. Blessed with good health he’s still the first up every morning touring the Conservancy and actively involved assisting and directing our Wildlife managers with their tasks.

Mama Duma has been battling some health issues but with great success, and is happy to report that she’s back “at it” and will assist ‘Duma Duke’, the talking cheetah on this page to update you more often.

As you make your New Years plans and resolutions, please don’t forget your four legged friends at the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy and Orphanage.

Like countless generations before them, freedom to roam their ancient habitat on Mount Kenya must be ensured for all, including mankind.

Their future is in our hands. Help us to continue to lead the way and remain a shining light in the world of wildlife conservation.

Wishing you continued health and the warmth of love in your heart,

from
MAMA DUMA and BWANA DON (aka Don and Iris Hunt)
and all of us here at the
Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy

Donations may be made online from this page:
www.animalorphanagekenya.org/donate.php

Getting ready for the party…

Bea, dressed as a bride herself, feeding Ms Kate!

While over 60 million viewers delighted in watching the royal English wedding, we were having a bit of fun with our own Ms. Kate and her friends at the Animal Orphanage.

Do you have a “Prince for Ms. Kate,” you asked.

While Prince William and his beautiful bride followed their heart, but there’s no such luxury in the animal world. Not unlike in mankind’s own ancestry, “good breeding” is regulated by science concerned with “lineage.”

Still, we do have a handsome young bongo in mind, But until they meet she will continue to delighting us all with her graceful beauty and exceptional good nature.

To help insure her future you can donate to Ms Kate’s “trousseau” benefiting the bongo rehabilitation back to the wild program
at the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy with a click of your mouse:

www.animalorphanagekenya.org/donate

Ms Kate and her little sister all set for the royal wedding of her namesake

Bea with Ms. Kate get ready at the Animal Orphanage

A little more than 6 months ago we named this little new born baby bongo “Ms Kate” at the Animal Orphanage.

She has since stolen all of our hearts with her beauty and totally loving personality. The royal wedding fever has not missed the slopes of Mount Kenya, so Bea, Fundi and the keepers are organizing a “feast” for all the animals to celebrate!!

No better time than this to let your imagination run wild and make a donation towards a free future for these beautiful creatures.

Prince William proposed to his long time love Kate Middleton and she gracefully accepted to become his future Queen of England.

Newborn Bongo: "Miss Kate"

We named the beautiful little antelope ‘Miss Kate’ in honor of the future queen of England.

‘Miss Kate’ will remain here in the safety of the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy until she reaches breeding age and her own suitable “Prince” can be selected.

It is hoped that together they will one day roam free and raise their own young in the wilderness of the Mount Kenya Forests where their ancestors once roamed.

Please support our bongo rehabilitation program.

Miss Kate is growing quickly

You can join our international family of friends by becoming a member of the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy.

You can even adopt your own live bongo or any of our needy animals to sponsor their care and release.

All donations are used solely for the care of the animals. That is our pledge!

The Founders and Trustees of the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy have pooled their recourses for more than 40 years to save the flora and fauna of Mount Kenya for our future generations.

Please join us!

www.animalorphanagekenya.org/donate

A charitable Kenyan Trust and a registered U.S. nonprofit Corporation

Two days before the actual release, with all preparations, staff and equipment “at the ready” the Kenya Wildlife Service advised us that they wished to postpone the first release until they could clarify some technical issues.

One of our handsome bulls earmarked for release wearing the radio transmitter that will record his movements and can be tracked on the Internet via Satellite from anywhere in the world!! After 1 year of tests it has proved reliable. Ron Surratt of the International Bongo Foundation has arranged for the donation of new revised transmitters that will be smaller and sit better on the bongo’s horn to avoid accidental loss in the bush. Much will be learned from these initial releases.

The KWS called for another meeting of the bongo Task force to resolve these issues.

During the meeting in July the KWS stated that they would hold on the release until genetic testing could be done. Mike Prettejohn of the Bongo Surveillance Project stated that the estimated numbers of any surviving bongo are speculative and most likely high. This meeting was followed by a “bongo workshop”. The workshop was attended by many stakeholders and a full report is in preparation. Issues such as security, genetics, species interaction, status review, vision and targets were discussed amongst others.

The meetings were also attended by Dr. Jamie Ivy the well known Population Biologist/Geneticist of the Zoological Society of San Diego as well as Ron Surratt, Chair, Bongo Species Survival program and President, International Bongo Foundation as well as Dr. Tom De Maar, DVM (Brownsville Zoo) Wildlife Veterinarian, who worked in Kenya for many years.

Dr. Ivy offered expertise that any small group of remaining wild bongo could only benefit and would not be jeopardised genetically in the unlikely event

Dr. de Maar answered questions relating to disease issues putting any reservations and assumptions in this regard to rest.

Dr’s. Reillo and Estes expressed their desire to do extensive studies on genetics on worldwide bongo populations and are in the process of securing funding for a project that would take several years and be carried out under the umbrella of their Rare Species Conservatory Foundation in the USA.

The American Association of Zoological Parks and the Bongo Species Survival Program are ready and in favour of a first release. They have offered and acquired new bongo satellite transmitters and much valuable information could be gathered following a release as had been planned.

Where does this leave the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy?

The Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy has successfully saved and bred up a large herd of bongo. The plan to release groups of up to 10 animals per year has temporarily been delayed but will continue in due course in collaboration with the Kenya Wildlife Services.

We feel the single most pressing issue is that of security of the animals to be released.

We believe in the scientific approach and value the studies to be done.

However since it has been shown that no danger from a scientific standpoint is valid, MKWC will continue with captive breeding under the guidance of Dr. Jamie Ivy and others.

To sum up, in the words of Dr. Betsy Dresser, world famous scientist, and Sr. Vice President and Director, Audubon Nature Institute Center for Research of Endangered Species,

“There are many, many examples of herds or groups that have dropped to low numbers and built right back up again and are doing just fine. I really believe that DNA is a lot more hearty than we give it credit and able to revive itself in populations.”

MKWC fully supports the efforts and commitment of the Kenya Wildlife Service to secure the release sites from poachers and the encroachment of
civilisation and much progress has been made in this aspect.

Our education programs spearheaded and funded by our William Holden Wildlife Foundation will continue to make a difference in the education of the local area inhabitants adjacent to the Mount Kenya forest to assure their support in saving this magnificent specie.

The owners of the Mount Kenya Game Ranch have saved and bred bongo antelope since 1970 entirely with private funding of its directors, until the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy was formed to take over in 2004.

To carry on our projects continued funding is urgently needed. It is used solely to benefit the animals and their rehabilitation to their ancestral habitat on Mount Kenya.

Together we can do that!!

Donations may be made online from this page:

www.animalorphanagekenya.org/donate.php

Stately even after a mud bath

Noah – once bright chestnut colored, his coat darkened with age. Almost black at the end, Noah’s presence, like that of his famous namesake, was synonymous with continued life.

At the age of 3 he presented us with his firstborn, Karen, and over the years several brothers and sisters followed. Interestingly, in his prime, Noah seemed to have had a knack to add girls to his brood. In later years, the boys followed.

His offspring made him the proud grandfather of 14 adorable Bongos, every single one adopted by well-wishers from around the world. Did old Noah sense how much joy his amber-eyed family with their unmistakably big ears brought to everyone?

Some of his progeny have become famous in their own right: “Obama” whose namesake has since become President of the United States, “Hamsini” (ki-swahili for 50) marks the 50th bongo birth at the Conservancy and a true milestone, and a girl named after the special day she was born on, “Valentine”.

Noah was always one for "the girls"

During his retirement Noah received special attention from his caregivers who understood the complexity of his age and ensured that his last years were comfortable. His home in the safety of the Conservancy looked out on Mount Kenya and the virgin forest where some of his offspring are being conditioned for release to the home of his ancestors, Mount Kenya.

Noah and pregnant Msituni

In the wild, nature knows little “retirement”: to ensure the wellness of the herd, the old and the weak instinctively leave the group to face an uncertain death alone. They mostly fall prey to predators even before a natural death. Survival of the fittest – an intrinsic force of nature ensures that the herds are kept strong and healthy in order to multiply and thrive with no “burden” to slow them down or endanger their young. In captivity, receiving ultimate nutrition and care, Bongos have been known to live up to 19 years.

Noah's Progeny

Noah was bred and born at the Mount Kenya Game Ranch under the watchful eyes of the Hunt Family. He was, at first, a shy and weak calf, and it was soon apparent that his mother’s milk had dried up. Kevin Hunt (Don’s son) took him home where he thrived under the care of Lydia, his wife. Feeding him on her own formula the little fellow not only thrived but grew into one of the most handsome big bulls ever seen.

As the “posterboy” for bongo conservation he became the famous envy of many a hunter, zoo directors and animal buffs from all over the world came to admire him.

Noah remained with us until the end of his life. He is sadly missed by all who met and knew him. His genes continue on, visible in his very handsome progeny.

Noah was immortalized long ago when he was chosen to adorn the official poster of our Bongo Repatriation Programme.

Become a member of the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy and Noah, the “posterboy”, is yours for FREE as a desktop background image.

5 years on – January 2009: In anticipation of a first wilderness release later this year, a BBC film crew has returned to Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy to film Mountain Bongo for a 3-part natural history series about Kenya. As the film rolls, we follow the crew around with our own camera and bear witness to a very special reunion.

It’s 6.30 in the morning. Whilst guests at the adjacent Mount Kenya Safari Club are still sleeping, our Wildlife Officer Fundi is directing a dark green Land Cruiser across the Conservancy, many pairs of eyes on us. Initially, we were reluctant to allow visitors into this remote forest area where our bongo are being conditioned to survive in the wild without any human interference.

Years ago, Mount Kenya was home to numerous herds of Mountain Bongo. Since 1995, none have been sighted on Mount Kenya. They may be have become extinct due to population pressure and pursuant poaching in the National Park, brought under control only recently.

The BBC and Kenyan film crew understand the sensitive nature of this endangered species. They come to highlight the many years of preservation and captive breeding at the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy and to increase public awareness of the ongoing efforts to re-establish the bongo in its natural habitat.

As President Obama’s daughter Sasha is making her first steps in the spotlight, her namesake at our Conservancy is getting her own first taste of fame. Unsure of the lens pointed at her, she carefully circles the camera. Its highly experienced operator is so unobtrusive that mother “Miss Kenya” continues to graze within an arm length of him. A bongo with her newborn calf, in the distance, the sun is rising over Mount Kenya – a vision that has motivated us throughout the years has become a reality.

Lead by Fundi, we follow the film team deeper into the forest where the steep terrain and dense undergrowth make progress difficult. Here, only trained eyes can make out the camouflaged coat of the bongo whose white stripes resemble streaks of sunlight breaking through the bush.

Despite expert tracking, patient waiting and a powerful zoom lens, some of the bongo remain invisible. Never before have bongo been filmed in their natural habitat. Our efforts to turn captive born bongo back into wild animals appear to have born success – this first group of bongo earmarked for release already avoids human contact and seems ready for the last stage of their rehabilitation back to the wild.

5 years have past since the BBC’s first filming, a journey that has seen our initial small herd of bongo increase to 62. More than 43,000 Kenyan students have since seen this magnificent antelope and learned that the survival of this unique and rare species lies in their hands.

Bongo will continue to fascinate anyone who has ever laid eyes on them. Hopefully in the near future they will once again roam the land of their ancestors. Shy and elusive but their sightings will be rare. Meanwhile Mount Kenya Animal Orphanage continues to offer visitors the opportunity to view younger animals bred there and destined for future releases.

Adoption Program

Nature sees to it that, instinctively, mother and young will always find each other but how do we, their human caretakers, tell them apart, you might ask? Is it their horns – beautifully long or sometimes not yet visible? Does their coat set them apart – a whole palette of an enthusiastic painter? Do the stripes give them away? Well, it is a combination of these features that give every one of our protégées their unique identity.

Our Wildlife Officer Fundi has opened the family album for you promising to make you a Bongo expert.

STRIPES
Bongo have between 8 to 14 vertical white stripes on either side. The Bongo in the picture seem to look identical. However, the keen observer may have spotted 12 stripes on the right bongo and only 11 on the left, an important clue…. but how do we distinguish bongo with the same number of stripes? Have you noticed that the first stripe on the right bongo is barely visible whilst the second and third stripe on the left bongo cross half way? There you are!

HORNS
All bongo grow ivory tipped horns that may reach up to 40 inches. In young bongo, these are not yet visible and only develop with age. Let’s look at the pictures. The horns twist at the same angle but do you notice the difference? Well spotted, the horns of the bongo on the left almost seem to touch whilst the horns on the right bongo leave a wide gap. Perhaps, as the horns grow, these too will touch one day but as with all features, no set of horns is alike. Of course once you know your bongo family, you can easily recognize them from their facial features as well – just see how different these two are!

COLOR
Ranging from the lightest chestnut to the deepest russet, bongo are easily identifiable by their brilliant coat darkening with age in males. An artist’s dream, the color nuances are seemingly endless. Do you notice the color of the young bongo on the right being much lighter than that of her mother on the left? When fully grown, the size may no longer be an indicator. The different shades of brown will forever be a “telltale.”

SIZE
The largest of the forest antelopes, the average bongo weighs up to 400 kilos and reaches a height of up to 4 feet. Couldn’t the two adorable bongo toddlers in the picture be twins – their coats almost identical? Their stripes? Hard to count, aren’t they? If it wasn’t for their different build no one could tell that the Bongo on the left is 4 months older than its cousin. There you are, another hint!

Now that you have mastered the art of telling our bongo family apart, we’ll let you in on a little secret: Ajabu’s girl may darken in colour, she will grow magnificent horns, but she will always carry the name she is waiting for you to give her.

Become one of the privileged few to give the offspring of this rare antelope family a name registered in the International Bongo Studbook and be part of her incredible journey through photos and regular updates?

Are you ready to name “your” girl? This link will make you her guardian angel:

adoption.animalorphanagekenya.org

For more news on our very successful Bongo Repatriation Program visit this link: bongo.animalorphanagekenya.org or this blog for regular updates.