Mountain Bongo Project

14/08/2026

As part of the , organised by and the , the Mountain Bongo Project ranger team took on the Push-Up Challenge, joining wildlife rangers around the world in celebrating the dedication, resilience, and commitment of those protecting wildlife and wild places.​

Whether patrolling the forests of the Aberdares and Maasai Mau, monitoring camera traps, or protecting mountain bongo habitat, our rangers go above and beyond every day.​

There's still time to support their work. A donation of $50 provides a ranger with a camelback, helping them stay hydrated during long days in the field: https://wildlife.rangerchallenge.org/campaigns/mountain-bongo-project-2026

Thank you to everyone who has already donated and cheered on our team. Every contribution makes a difference.​

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11/08/2026

During a recent visit to Osonkoroi Comprehensive School, the Mountain Bongo Project donated a water tank to help improve access to clean water for learners and staff.​

Protecting Kenya's last wild mountain bongos goes hand-in-hand with supporting the communities that share their forest landscape. By working closely with local schools, we aim to strengthen partnerships, improve well-being, and inspire the next generation to value and protect their natural heritage.​

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08/08/2026

In 2003, Mike Prettejohn was approached by the then Aberdare National Park Warden with a troubling question:​

"We seem to have had no bongo sightings in the Aberdares. Do you believe the bongo have become extinct?"​

For Mike, it was a defining moment.​

The mountain bongo, once regularly seen in Kenya's forests, had become so elusive that many feared they had disappeared altogether.​

That conversation led to the creation of the Bongo Surveillance Project, laying the foundation for what is now the Mountain Bongo Project.​

"This was the spark that has evolved into my lifelong quest."​

More than two decades later, Mike is still in the field, working alongside the ranger team, supporting patrols, and helping secure a future for one of the world's rarest antelopes.​

What began with a single question has become a lifelong commitment to ensuring mountain bongos continue to exist on our planet.​

Thank you, Mike, for your vision, dedication, and unwavering commitment to conserving Kenya's mountain bongos.​

05/08/2026

Routine forest patrols and camera trap monitoring are an essential part of our rangers' work in the Aberdares. Every visit involves checking camera traps, downloading images, and looking for fresh signs of mountain bongos.​

Some days the cameras are quiet. Other days, they capture one of the world's rarest antelopes.​

Every image helps Mountain Bongo Project better understand the movements and behaviour of Kenya's last wild mountain bongos, guiding our efforts alongside our government partners to protect this critically endangered species.​

By supporting our team through the , you're helping keep this work going. A donation of $240 funds a camera trap unit, including a memory card and batteries, giving our rangers another vital tool to monitor and protect mountain bongos. Every contribution makes a difference; https://wildlife.rangerchallenge.org/campaigns/mountain-bongo-project-2026
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02/08/2026

During July, the Mountain Bongo Project's camera traps recorded five mountain bongo sightings in the Maasai Mau - another encouraging milestone for the conservation of this critically endangered species.​

Featured here are images of a male mountain bongo captured by Camera 11 during two visits to one of our monitoring sites.​

Every camera trap image helps Mountain Bongo Project and our government partners better understand the presence and movements of these elusive animals. Combined with regular ranger patrols, this long-term monitoring guides our conservation efforts and strengthens the protection of this important population.​

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01/08/2026

28/07/2026

Today is World Nature Conservation Day.​

Protecting the mountain bongo means protecting the ecosystems it depends on.​

The forests of the Aberdares and Maasai Mau provide habitat for countless species, protect vital water catchments, store carbon, and support surrounding communities.​

Whether patrolling remote forests, monitoring wildlife, restoring habitats, or planting trees, every action helps safeguard these remarkable landscapes for future generations.​

Today, we celebrate the importance of conserving nature, and the people working every day to protect it.​

26/07/2026

Some of the world's rarest wildlife is rarely seen.

That's why every sighting matters.

Every camera trap image, every fresh spoor, and every glimpse of this critically endangered antelope is the result of countless hours spent patrolling forests, checking camera traps, and monitoring mountain bongo habitat.
This World Ranger Day, we celebrate the dedicated men behind the Mountain Bongo Project - rangers who patrol Kenya's forests, monitor wildlife, protect vital habitat, and help secure a future for one of the world's rarest antelopes.
To Laban Mwangi, Stanley, Hiram, Geoffrey, Thomas, Peter, John, Josphat Whama, Josphat Korage, Felix, Boniface, Laban Kisharuand every member of our ranger team - Thank You.

Before World Ranger Day on 31 July, we'd love your help in recognising their incredible work.

Send a message to thank our rangers, and we'll share it with the team in the field:
https://maraelephantproject.org/thank-a-ranger/

You can also support our rangers as they take on the Wildlife Ranger Challenge, helping raise vital funds for the equipment, training, and resources they need to continue protecting Kenya's last wild mountain bongos:
https://wildlife.rangerchallenge.org/campaigns/mountain-bongo-project-2026

24/07/2026

Do you have what it takes to be a wildlife ranger?

Today, the Mountain Bongo Project team took on the Wildlife Ranger Challenge Quiz, testing the knowledge and skills needed to protect one of the world's rarest antelopes - the critically endangered mountain bongo.

Being a ranger takes more than physical strength. It requires a deep understanding of wildlife, forest habitats, tracking, and the many challenges facing the species they work to protect.

Think you have what it takes? Take the Wildlife Ranger Challenge Quiz here:
https://wildliferangerchallenge.org/challenges/wildlife-ranger-quiz/

Then, if you'd like to support our team in this year's Wildlife Ranger Challenge, you can do so here:
https://wildlife.rangerchallenge.org/campaigns/mountain-bongo-project-2026

21/07/2026

WE'RE IN!​

The Mountain Bongo Project is proud to be taking part in the 2026 .​

The Wildlife Ranger Challenge celebrates and supports Africa's wildlife rangers, raising vital funds to strengthen their work protecting wildlife, supporting communities, and conserving some of the world's most important ecosystems. ​

This year, our team will be taking on the challenge in support of the critically endangered mountain bongo. Every donation will help equip and support our rangers as they patrol remote forests, maintain camera traps, monitor wildlife, respond to threats including illegal logging, charcoal production, and poaching, and work alongside local communities to protect Kenya's last wild mountain bongos.​

Over the coming weeks, we'll be sharing our team's progress as they take on a series of physical challenges leading up to the main event.​

Every step. Every challenge. Every donation makes a difference.​

Support Team Bongo Brigade and help protect Kenya's last wild mountain bongos: https://wildlife.rangerchallenge.org/campaigns/mountain-bongo-project-2026