When taking a stroll around the Africa Loop, guests may see an orange-colored animal tucked under the bamboo, palm trees or along the boardwalk. These elusive creatures are the Eastern Bongo, also known as the Mountain Bongo, a species of forest antelope. The Eastern Bongo is a beautiful chestnut brown color with 12 to 14 white stripes going horizontally down their back. Eastern bongos only live in densely forested mountainsides of Kenya. There are approximately five fragmented populations left in the wild, consisting of less than 100 individuals, making them critically endangered.Threats to the Eastern Bongo include human encroachment on habitat, livestock disease, habitat destruction, overhunting and poaching. 

The Zoo supports the Bongo Surveillance Project, a non-profit committed to protecting and conserving this critically endangered species. The Bongo Surveillance Project was founded by Mike Prettejohn in 2004. This organization deploys camera traps in areas where Eastern Bongo can be found so they can obtain more accurate information about the animals left in the wild as well as their movements. They also deploy field teams that monitor illegal activity and protect Eastern Bongo habitats. The field teams trek through Eastern Bongo habitat and remove snares, destroy poaching camps, and monitor illegal activities in these areas including logging, charcoal production and cattle grazing. The Bongo Surveillance Project also works with local communities to help raise awareness of how important it is to conserve this species. They give lectures on the dangers of consuming bush meat, include locals in their foot patrols, help develop tree nurseries and so much more. 

The Project also provides crucial information to the National Recovery and Action Plan for the Mountain Bongo. The Rare Species Conservatory Foundation, based in Florida, is currently working on rebuilding the Eastern Bongo population by sending some individuals raised in Florida back to the wild to help restore bongos in Mt. Kenya. Through the work of the Bongo Surveillance Project, we can learn how to protect the Eastern Bongo along with the critical mountain regions which serve as a source of freshwater for humans, the Eastern Bongo, and many other species.

Learn more about our more than 2000 animal species or visit for an extraordinary expereince.  Find out more about the 45 conservation programs we support or consider becoming a donor to help us carry out this critical work.