In the misty slopes of Mount Kenya, history has been made. The Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy (MKWC) has announced the birth of its 100th Mountain Bongo calf, a milestone that breathes new life into the fight to save one of the world’s most critically endangered antelopes.

The calf, born on January 8, is the latest success of a breeding and rewilding program that began in 2004 with just 18 animals repatriated from US zoos. The Mountain Bongo, known for its striking chestnut coat and spiraled horns, had been hunted to near extinction in the wild, with less than 100 believed to exist in Kenya’s forests a decade ago.

"A Turning Point"

"Reaching 100 is not just a number; it is proof of concept," said Dr. Robert Aruho, head of the conservancy. "It means we have a viable genetic pool to repopulate the mountain." The conservancy aims to release batches of these animals into the Mawingu Sanctuary, a protected wilderness where they can roam freely.

KWS Director General Prof. Erustus Kanga hailed the achievement as a victory for science and patience. "This species was on the brink of vanishing. Today, we are pulling it back from the edge," he said. The project is a public-private partnership supported by tycoon Humphrey Kariuki, demonstrating the power of private capital in conservation.

• The Ghost of the Forest: The Mountain Bongo is elusive and shy, earning it the nickname "the ghost." Its recovery is crucial for the mountain ecosystem, as it acts as a seed disperser for indigenous trees.
• Tourism Gem: With the herd growing, Nanyuki is positioning itself as the only place on earth where tourists can reliably see these majestic creatures, adding a unique selling point to Kenya’s tourism circuit.