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

• Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy (MKWC) and Chester Zoo have formalized a partnership to boost the conservation of the critically endangered Mountain Bongo antelope and its habitat.
• The collaboration focuses on analysis, capability switch and conservation training.
• The settlement will see each organisations leverage experience and know-how to help biodiversity and wildlife conservation.

Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy (MKWC) and Chester Zoo are thrilled to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance efforts in conserving the critically endangered Mountain Bongo. This collaboration stems from shared aspirations and function to forestall extinction of wildlife.

Beneath this partnership, MKWC and Chester Zoo will deal with monitoring, analysis and data switch and different crucial areas to safe the way forward for the Mountain Bongo. This collaboration features a complete strategy to analysis and monitoring of untamed populations with the applying of modern real-time AI know-how, developed by companions, ConservationAI at Liverpool John Moores College. The initiative additionally seeks to boost conservation training and capacity-building via employees exchanges and data switch. By combining Chester Zoo’s international management in conservation and MKWC’s native experience, the initiative seeks to bolster the survival of the Mountain Bongo each in human care and within the wild.

Talking on the importance of the partnership and its potential impression on the MKWC breeding and rewilding program, Govt Patron of Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy (MKWC), Humphrey Kariuki mentioned:

“This partnership represents a big milestone in our conservation efforts. The Mountain Bongo is just not solely a logo of Kenya’s wealthy biodiversity but additionally a species whose survival hinges on collaborations which combine international experience with native dedication for the higher good. This engagement will improve analysis capabilities, leveraging and testing of recent applied sciences for the breeding and rewilding of the Mountain Bongo, to make sure the long-term survival of this iconic species within the wild.”

Chief Govt Officer of Chester Zoo, Jamie Christon, highlighted the significance of this MOU within the preservation of critically endangered species and emphasised the significance of collaboration within the conservation of the Mountain Bongo. He mentioned,

“Conservation is aware of no borders, and the signing of this partnership at the moment gives us with a platform to unite behind a shared function. By uniting our assets and experience we will make a distinction for a species getting ready to extinction. It’s our hope that this partnership is a robust strategic step for the conservation of the mountain bongo that may function a world mannequin for safeguarding different endangered species sooner or later.”

Prof. Erastus Kanga, Kenya Wildlife Companies Director Basic who attended the signing ceremony added:

“The KWS Strategic Plan 2024-2028 displays our dedication to fostering thriving wildlife populations by enhancing species restoration applications and bettering wildlife well being. Our partnership with Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy (MKWC) and Chester Zoo marks an important step in advancing conservation via know-how, analysis and capability constructing. Through the years, MKWC has performed a pivotal position within the restoration technique for the critically endangered Bongo. With modern instruments equivalent to AI-driven habitat monitoring and cutting-edge rewilding analysis, we’re optimistic about accelerating the reintroduction of this iconic species into the wild. Collectively, we’re shaping a future the place conservation efforts consequence into Thriving wildlife and wholesome habitats for all, perpetually.”