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.

Mother Baraka (Kiswahili for BLESSING) was one of the first group of bongo calves born to the ‘native American’ mothers that were returned to Kenya.

Four days into 2009 another little ‘girl ‘ bongo joined her. Her mother carries the proud name “Miss Kenya,” first born on Kenyan soil of American Heritage!!

All of us here take great pride in naming the two new bongo after two other delightful young girls of true Kenyan heritage that have made world news lately:
Malia and Sasha, the charming young daughters of President Barack Obama.
These are photos of Malia:

Newborn Mountain Bongo Antelope named for Malia Obama.

Newborn Mountain Bongo Antelope named for Malia Obama.

Newborn Mountain Bongo Antelope named for Malia Obama.

Newborn Mountain Bongo Antelope named for Malia Obama.

These are photos of Sasha:

Newborn Mountain Bongo Antelope named for Sasha Obama.

Newborn Mountain Bongo Antelope named for Sasha Obama.

Newborn Mountain Bongo Antelope named for Sasha Obama.

Newborn Mountain Bongo Antelope named for Sasha Obama.

Photos by long time Conservancy supporter Jane McKeand who was there just after the two “girls” made their entrance into the world!

Breeding during 2008 has brought our entire herd up to 62 animals. This constitutes the largest bongo herd anywhere in the world. Although this is an impressive number. Last year the bongo have produced predominantly male calves, no less beautiful but not as desirable when it comes to breeding programs.

The arrival of the two pretty female calves signifies “the change” we were hoping for and what more apt names then Malia and Sasha.

All through the recent hardships our country Kenya has remained committed to conservation of the mountain bongo.

Very soon now we hope to return the first group of Mountain bongo to their original habitat on Mount Kenya where they have become extinct. This will be the “world premiere” of a release back to the wild of any mountain antelope, ever!

With your help we hope to make the first release a reality this “year of change” to celebrate conservation as a global affair and the African-American cooperation as a shining example of what is possible if we all believe.

Your participation and help is crucial. Donations of money help with food for the Bongo breeding group (now numbering 64!). We also have to find funds to pay the dedicated staff that insure their well being. Then there are the VET bills, fencing and maintenance of breeding areas, patrol cars and petrol for anti poaching and the list goes on!!

You could also participate/help by spreading the word to your friends. Maybe Your company would like to place an ad on our blog? Maybe you know of a fund that would be interested in supporting the Conservancy’s work with a grant? Remember it is all about the future of our planet for us, and generations to come.

To find out how your donation can help Contact Jane at the Conservancy.

adoption.animalorphanagekenya.org

Sen. Obama has nothing to fear from African tigers

For the very first time an African American is the nominee for the democratic party: Senator Barack Obama. Kenya is a-buzz with speculation, discussion and bets. After all, Obama’s Dad was a genuine Kenyan, in fact, his Grandma still lives in a village in Western Kenya.

Many of us here follow every bit of news we can get, so we came across an article written by one Nancy Benac, (Associate Press Writer) that is making its appearance in newspapers this week. In it she compares the decorative aspect of the offices of the two nominated candidates. We are informed Obama’s office has “a fresh clean look to it,” “carefully choreographed” with “not many knick-knacks.” The accompanying photograph shows a side table with a good old fashioned “Rungu” on it.

Ms. Benac, the Associated Press Writer identifies it as a “tiger-beating stick from his grandmothers village in Kenya.” Why would they have a “tiger beating stick” in a village in western Kenya? Hardly!

It reminds me of a public notice I saw in a government office in Mogadishu, Somalia in 1965, that announced that the hunting and killing of tigers was strictly forbidden under the laws of Somalia. It proved to be the only law that was never violated there.
Why? There are no tigers in Somalia to hunt, not any more than there are tigers in Kenya.

There are no tigers, never were, on the African continent Ms. Benac. Tigers belong to that other mass of land to the east, remember?

As for the rungu in the good Senator’s office: It’s a traditional African weapon, a throwing club traditionally cut from hardwood bushes or roots that have especially strong knots. It is probably mostly seen used by the warriors of the colorful Maasai tribe of Kenya and Tanzania. No self respecting traditional pastoralist would be caught out in the bush without one, it has so many uses in self defense (bar tiger beating) and hunting, even lion hunting although the Maasai possess more suitable and lethal home made weapons for this pursuit. Young boys training to be warriors have rungu throwing competitions until they become so proficient that they can hit small object such as a small mammal or bird at great distance.

But there is another equally important function for the rungu. It is a ceremonial status symbol giving the bearer the aura of great importance. (Past President Moi of Kenya carried one made of ivory and gold wherever he went). The rungu is often given in honor to a speaker of great importance as a sign of respect. Which is probably why Senator Obama received one in his Grandma’s home village when he visited there some time ago. Kenyans are proud that it has a place of honor in his office. If the rungu does make it to the White House… we hope NOT as a “tiger beating tool”!!

OBAMA

That is what we unanimously named our latest arrival bongo baby boomer No. 9.

Born at the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, OBAMA comes with an American background (his dam was raised at the San Diego Zoo) and Kenyan roots of course, his sire is a native Kenyan born bongo named Noah.

OBAMA will join the group of Kenya born bongo earmarked for release to re-establish bongo on Mount Kenya where they once thrived. The project is undertaken by the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy and supported by the American Association of Zoological Parks (Bongo SSP).

We do hope the Senator from Illinois will be pleased and lend his support to this globally important wildlife and nature conservation project.