DHL Express, in collaboration with conservation charity, Tusk, successfully transported 17 critically endangered mountain bongo antelopes from Florida to Kenya. The herd of 12 females and 5 males, bred at the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation (RSCF), was flown 7,146 nautical miles aboard a dedicated DHL aircraft from Palm Beach International Airport to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Fewer than 100 mountain bongos now exist in the wild due to poaching and habitat loss through deforestation and fragmentation. Custom-built crates were used to ensure that the bongos travelled safely, along with six tons of pelleted feed, two bongo specialists and a veterinarian. Upon arrival, the bongos were released into a 20-acre sanctuary on Mount Kenya prepared by the Kenya Forest Service and managed by the Meru Bongo & Rhino Conservation Trust. This sanctuary will serve as a breeding ground, with plans to gradually reintroduce their offspring into Mount Kenya’s forests after a 40-year absence. This initiative is part of Kenya’s national recovery plan for the species and involves partnerships with organizations like Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and local communities. The project not only aims to restore the bongo population but also supports local education and employment opportunities, underscoring the importance of collaborative conservation efforts.
Mike Parra, CEO DHL Express Europe, said: “The logistics of moves such as this are incredibly complex, with the welfare of the animals being everyone’s top priority. A huge thank you to our partners at Tusk, the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, and everyone involved in making this important conservation mission a success.”
Mike Watson, CEO of Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, stated: “Bringing the bongos back to Kenya is a great moment in the restoration of the country’s natural heritage. For decades, these animals have been largely absent from the very forests where they belong, and this project will be crucial in reversing that loss.”
Dr. Paul Reillo, RSCF Founder and President, added: “There is simply no higher calling for humanity than to protect what remains of nature. […] The bongo’s resilience is a story of hope for wildlife and people alike, merging elevated partnerships, proven expertise, vital resources and amazing courage.” Charlie Mayhew, Founder and President of Tusk, concluded: “[This] is a significant step in restoring this critically endangered species to its native habitat, and demonstrates the conservation progress that can be made through collaboration. We are hugely grateful to our global partner DHL Express […].”
