Mountain bongos thrive on transitional vegetation on the edges of forests and in new growth areas following damage such as landslides, elephant disturbances and logging. They are herbivorous browsers, feeding on herbs, shrubs, creepers and bark. They visit mineral licks for salt and can eat burnt wood for its mineral content. They are mostly nocturnal and while bulls are solitary, females with calves travel in groups of up to ten.
Fun fact – Their spiral horns are used to dig up sapling roots to eat, and can reach 99cm long!
-
Ecology
-
Threats
This species has experienced dramatic population decline due to being hunted by local people’s domestic dogs and predated on by lions introduced to the Aberdares mountains. Illegal logging is reducing the forest available to them, and they are also susceptible to cattle-carried diseases such as Rinderpest which proved fatal to many bongos.
-
Conservation
A captive breeding programme is in progress in a Mount Kenya game ranch, with the aim of reintroducing these individuals to the wild in future. Research is also being done into the ecology of the Mountain Bongo. The Bongo Surveillance Programme also studies the largest group for information which could help shape future conservation work. Nature’s SAFE stores samples to increase the genetic diversity of future populations of Mountain bongos to aid their chances long-term survival.
Take action today
Together we can end the extinction crisis
Preserved January 2024
Help us turn the tide on extinction
At least 50 distinct genetic lines are needed to save each species.
On average, it takes £100 to preserve cell and tissue sample from one animal. That’s at least £5,000 to preserve an entire species.
Make a monthly donation to safeguard the future of our natural world.
Donate Now
Fundraise for us
Sponsor a Fundraising Hero embarking on a challenge, or plan your own fundraiser to support us.
Get Started
Corporate participation
Explore opportunities to develop a corporate partnership with us.
Get Started
Chimpanzee
Total Population: 170,000 - 300, 000 in the wild
White naped mangabey
Total Population: Around 1,000 in the wild
Macaroni Penguin
Total Population: Around 12 million
Bactrian camel
Total Population: Less than 1,000 in the wild
Okapi
Total Population: Less than 25,000 in the wild
Common Eland
Total Population: 90,000 to 110,000 in the wild
Mandanao bleeding-heart dove
Total Population: Less than 2,500 in the wild
Clouded Leopard
Total Population: Less than 10,000 in the wild
Komodo dragon
Total Population: Around 3,500 in the wild
Siamang Gibbon
Total Population: Around 22,000 in the wild
African penguin
Total Population: Less than 40,000 in the wild
Azara’s agouti
Total Population: Unknown
Orange-headed thrush
Total Population: Unknown
Owston’s palm civet
Total Population: Unknown
Wolverine
Total Population: Around 13,000 in the wild
Common Hippo
Total Population: Less than 150,000 in the wild
Black howler monkey
Total Population: Less than 5,000 in the wild