Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy And Chester Zoo Join Forces To Conserve The Critically Endangered Mountain Bongo | Global News Avenue

• Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy (MKWC) and Chester Zoo have formalized a partnership to enhance protection of the critically endangered Bongo Mountain Oryx and its habitat.
• The collaboration focuses on research, capacity transfer and conservation education.
• The agreement will see both organizations leveraging expertise and technology to support biodiversity and wildlife conservation.

Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy (MKWC) and Chester Zoo are delighted to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further efforts to protect the critically endangered Mount Bongo. The collaboration stems from a shared desire and purpose to prevent wildlife extinction.

Under this partnership, MKWC and Chester Zoo will focus on monitoring, research and knowledge transfer, among other key areas, to secure the future of Bongo Hill. The collaboration includes an integrated approach to studying and monitoring wild populations applying innovative real-time artificial intelligence technology, developed by partner ConservationAI at Liverpool John Moores University. The initiative also seeks to strengthen conservation education and capacity-building through people exchanges and knowledge transfer. By combining Chester Zoo’s global leadership in conservation with MKWC’s local expertise, the program aims to promote Mount Bongo in human care and in the wild.

Discussing the importance of partnerships and their potential impact on MKWC breeding and rewilding programmes, managers Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy (MKWC) Patron Humphrey Kariuki explain:

“This partnership represents an important milestone in our conservation efforts. Mount Bongo is not only a symbol of Kenya’s rich biodiversity, it is also a species whose survival depends on combining global expertise with local commitment to achieve greater This collaboration will enhance research capabilities to harness and test new technologies for Bongo Mountain breeding and rewilding to ensure the long-term survival of this iconic species in the wild.”

Jamie Christon, CEO of Chester Zoo, The importance of this MoU for the conservation of critically endangered species was highlighted, as well as the importance of cooperation in the conservation of Mount Bongo. He said,

“Conservation knows no borders and the partnership signed today gives us a platform to come together to achieve a common goal. By combining our resources and expertise we can make a difference for endangered species. We hope this partnership “This is a powerful strategic step to protect mountain bongo drums and can serve as a global model for the protection of other endangered species in the future.”

Professor Erastus Kanga, Director-General of the Kenya Wildlife Service, who attended the signing ceremony, added:

“The KWS Strategic Plan 2024-2028 reflects our commitment to promoting thriving wildlife populations by strengthening species recovery plans and improving wildlife health. Our partnership with Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy (MKWC) and Chester Zoo marks the Over the years, MKWC has taken a critical step toward advancing conservation efforts through technology, research and capacity building. With innovative tools such as artificial intelligence-driven habitat monitoring and cutting-edge rewilding research playing a key role in the recovery strategy of the critically endangered bongo, we are optimistic that together we are accelerating the reintroduction of this iconic species. Shaping a future where conservation delivers thriving wildlife and healthy habitats for all.”