The Mountain Bongo in Kenya

The mountain Bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci) is one of the largest forest antelopes found in Africa. The Mountain Bongo is found in Kenya in the Abadares forest reserve, Mt Kenya forest and the Mau forest. It is one of the most endangered of the antelope species with a high number in captivity as compared to the wild. This is due to destruction of its habitat through human encroachment illegal logging, poaching, predators like the Leopards, spotted hyenas and pythons. 

The mountain Bongo normally lives in high altitude forested areas. It is a herbivorous browser, feeds on tree and bush leaves, tree barks. The mountain bongo has been noted to feed on charcoal from burnt trees. This has been attributed to the need of salt in its diet. It is also known to visit natural salt licks in search of salt. In the Aberdares National park, its frequents the watering holes and salt lick around Treetops Lodge, Serena Mountain Lodge and the Ark Lodge.  

The bongo is chestnut brown,  with a series of white flank stripes. It has a poor sense of smell hence its distinctive bright coat color helps the Bongos identify one another in the dark forest environment. Its large ears sharpen its hearing ability and has long twisted permanent horns in both males and females. The horns can grow to about a meter long with the female horns being smaller than those of the male. It runs gracefully at full speed through dense vegetation with its horns laying on its back so as not to get tangled in the vegetation and impend its flight. Despite its bold appearance the bongo is a very shy creature that stays out of sight in the cover of the forest during the day. The female adult Bongo ways an average of 200kgs while the adult male can way up to 400kgs.

Bongos rarely stay in group. The male bongo (bull) tends to be solitary while the females with there young live in groups of 6 - 8. has a gestation period of about 9.5 months gives birth to a single calf. Once it gives birth the calf stays hidden for a week or more while the mother pays it visits so as to suckle.it reaches maturity at 24-27 months of age. 

The rare species is near extinction. Lets join hands and save this critically endangered  antelope. Every time you travel with Abana Safaris you help save wonderful antelope. Lets join hands and conserve it for the future!