AI helps Kenya's fight for the mountain bongo

Deep in the misty forests of Mount Kenya, the critically endangered mountain bongo—one of the world's rarest antelopes—moves silently through thick undergrowth. With its rich brown coat marked by thin white stripes and long spiraled horns, it is often described as one of Africa's most beautiful mountain forest antelopes. Yet beauty has not protected it.

Habitat loss, poaching, forest degradation, and disease have pushed the species to the brink of extinction. Today, only a small population remains in the wild.

Every birth matters.

Every movement counts.

Kenya's mountain bongo, one of the world's rarest antelopes, has faced decades of decline. Today, the country's population of this critically endangered species is alarmingly small, with fewer than 50 mature individuals in some areas.

On February 24, 2025, Kenya received 17 mountain bongos from the Rare Species Conservation Foundation in Florida. These antelopes are third-generation descendants of animals that were originally taken from Kenya in the 1960s. Their return was hailed as a "monumental step" in Kenya's conservation efforts.

The Kenya Wildlife Service says mountain bongo numbers have dropped dramatically, from about 500 in the 1970s to an estimated fewer than 100 remaining in the wild today.

"Our mountain bongo breeding program is a critical part of Kenya's national bongo recovery efforts," says Dr. Robert Aruho, Head of Operations at Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy. "Without these efforts, isolated populations would never meet and reproduce naturally, and the species' survival would remain at risk."

In the 1950s, Kenya held its largest populations of mountain bongos, particularly on Mount Kenya. Poaching, habitat destruction, and trophy hunting severely reduced those numbers. Some animals were even captured and transported abroad, further reducing genetic diversity.

Today, the remaining populations are geographically isolated, making natural breeding nearly impossible. Conservationists emphasize that managed breeding programs are essential to restore population numbers, safeguard genetic diversity, and eventually reintroduce bongos into protected wild habitats.

Dr. Aruho says the breeding program doesn't just protect the animals; it gives the mountain bongo a fighting chance to survive in its natural habitat.

"Each calf born is a step toward reversing decades of decline," Dr. Aruho adds.

Through careful breeding, monitoring, and habitat management, Kenya's conservationists are working tirelessly to ensure that the mountain bongo, once on the brink of extinction, continues to roam the highland forests for generations to come.

"In 2004, we started the mountain bongo breeding program here at Mount Kenya," Dr. Aruho explains. "The goal was to build up the numbers through human-managed breeding and then reintroduce them to the wild."

That vision has borne fruit.

"We have successfully bred four generations of bongos here and prepared them for survival in the wild. So far, we've released about 20 bongos into the Mawingu Mountain Bongo Sanctuary, and they are doing well. We've already recorded five births in the sanctuary."

The milestone is even more significant at the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, where the population has now risen to 100 individuals, a milestone marked by the birth of a special calf at the turn of the year.

Her name is Mia.

Preparing calves for the wild

Calves like Mia are not rushed into reintroduction; they are carefully observed.

"We allow them to stay with their mothers. They interact naturally with the bush. We assess their behavior to see whether they can feed on natural vegetation, whether they are disease-resistant, and whether they show proper fear responses," Dr. Aruho shares.

Fear is survival.

"If they meet those parameters, we transition them to another area. If they show strong behavioral responses and good health, we transfer them to the sanctuary for full rewilding," he reveals.

Pregnant mothers play their part instinctively. Before delivery, they search for a quiet, dark location free of scent or footprints from other animals. After birth, they conceal their calves for up to five days, returning only to nurse them. Protection is instinctive.

Mountain bongos are extremely sensitive animals. Bright colors such as red and white can frighten them. That is why conservation teams wear standardized forest-green attire, blending into the environment to minimize disturbance.

The 100th birth - a living milestone

"The reason we named her Mia: 'Mia' is the Swahili word for one hundred," says Andrew Mulani, Bongo Program Assistant. "She is the 100th bongo born in this breeding and rewilding program. That's why she carries such a special name."

For a species once teetering on extinction, reaching 100 births under managed conservation is historic. Mia represents resilience, careful genetic planning, and years of dedication.

Technology joins the forest

But breeding alone is not enough. Monitoring such a shy, nocturnal species in the dense montane forests is a major challenge.

This is where artificial intelligence comes in.

At Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service, AI-powered solar camera systems have been deployed along animal trails and watering points.

For Jane Waithaka, a research officer at the conservancy, data is survival.

"Part of my job is to monitor wildlife and ensure that we have timely and adequate data," Waithaka explains. "For a species this fragile, data is not optional — it is survival."

These intelligent systems can identify mountain bongos, detect predators like hyenas and leopards, recognize human or vehicle intrusion, and send real-time alerts within seconds. Within four seconds of movement detection, researchers receive notifications via internet connectivity, allowing for rapid response.

Instead of relying solely on long, difficult patrols in the dense forest, conservationists now monitor wildlife remotely around the clock. The AI expands surveillance coverage, reduces human disturbance, and enables faster decision-making.

"It allows us to continue monitoring even when we are not physically present on the ground," Waithaka adds.

There are ambitious plans ahead.

Dr Aruho says the team plans to increase the sanctuary's acreage to give it enough space to breed around 150 bongos. Doing so would allow the sanctuary to supply the government with more than 10 bongos each year for release into the wild.

The mountain bongo is found in the wild only in Kenya.

The country's high-altitude forests, with their dense vegetation and unique ecology, provide the optimal conditions these animals need to survive. They evolved over time to take advantage of the unique flora and fauna. Kenya's high-altitude forests are a specialized habitat perfectly suited for the mountain bongo. It is a rare species in a rare environment.

And that is what makes bongo conservation efforts and calves like Mia so critical.

"She is not just the 100th birth," says Dr Aruho. "She is proof that extinction is no longer the only ending in sight. This renews our hope that we will be able to save the mountain bongo in our lifetime."

CGTN videographer Gabriel Rotich also contributed to this report.