Mountain Bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci) is on the edge of extinction mainly due to genetic factors, predation, disease and forest habitat threats. BONGO PHOTO COPYRIGHT 2011 – COURTESY: RHINO ARK CHARITABLE TRUST / Coastweek

April 14 (Coastweek) – The Mountain Bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci) is on the edge of extinction mainly due to genetic factors, predation, disease, and forest habitat threats. This has been confirmed by both the Director of Kenya Wildlife Service Julius Kipng’-etich and Dr Jake Veasey, Co-ordinator for Bongo, IUCN Antelope Specialist Group. A recent joint statement issued at KWS headquarters in Lang’ ata, Nairobi reads: The Mountain Bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci) existing in the wild is on the edge of extinction mainly due to poaching and forest habitat threats. … Kenya hosts the entire global population of 103 bongos in the wild, scattered in four completely isolated remnant groups in some highland forests on the east and west sides of the Great Rift Valley. … Bongo is believed to be locally extinct in Londiani, Cherangani and Chepalungu forests. Recent population models predict bongo could be extinct in the wild in as little as 14 years if present trends were to continue. …

Kenya: Rare Mountain Bongo now Facing imminent extinction