The eastern (mountain) bongo is one of the world’s most striking antelopes, but also one of the rarest. Its cinnamon coat, robust horns and vivid white stripes and facial markings, make for a remarkable package.
The subspecies is found in central Kenya living in tropical jungles with dense undergrowth up to an altitude of 4,000 meters (13,000 feet). Officially listed as Critically Endangered, the Bongo Surveillance Programme, working alongside the Kenya Wildlife Service, using a combination of photos taken at remote camera sites and analysis of DNA extracted from dung, estimates that there are as few as 140 animals remaining in the wild spread across four isolated populations. Habitat loss for agriculture, uncontrolled timber cutting and hunting for meat have all contributed to its recent decline.

Fortunately, mountain bongos breed well in captivity and several institutions in Kenya, Europe, and North America have focused on creating a sizable backup population running into hundreds of animals should it be needed. We visited the Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy which has itself produced over 70 mountain bongos.
Various options have been talked about. Reestablishing wildlife corridors that would enable mountain bongos to travel between the four isolated areas they occupy is one consideration but is not very realistic. Reintroducing mountain bongos using captive stock is another possibility not just to add to the total number, but to increase the genetic diversity within the existing wild population.

One reintroduction of 18 animals have already been made. A third consideration is to address the issues that caused the decline and are continuing to exist. These are not easy problems to solve.

Bongos grazing at the orphanage

THE FACIAL MARKINGS ON MOUNTAIN BONGOS ARE VERY PRONOUNCED

Nature seems to be full of contradictions. While so many wild species easily blend into their environment, which makes sense from a natural selection standpoint, others are adorned with attributes that one might think would make them more vulnerable.

While it is common for the males of many species to be much more conspicuous, males being more expendable when it comes to maintaining viable populations, among bongos both males and females are strongly marked and bear horns. The level of facial detail is especially amazing. While we have a general sense how natural selection operates, our understanding as to how the process works at this level is far from clear.

Bongo eyes are stunningly beautiful

Nocturnal and partially diurnal. Bongos are extremely shy and rarely seen expect to the various night-viewing lodges in the Aberdare forest, but wait! there’s one at the Nairobi safari walk make a date this weekend as you enjoy the serene environment as you walk on the boardwalk get to see this remarkably charismatic antelope up close, or better yet visit the Mt. Kenya orphanage for a front row seat to experience their charm.

Visit the Mt. Kenya wildlife orphanage for a more personal encounter with the magnificent species

I am almost certain you have no idea what an Aardvark is unless you are one heck of a keen and dedicated ecologist or conservationist if you have come across this peculiar animal count yourself in lucky to be in a very short list of people who have had this rare opportunity to see this magnificent animal.
Apparently, its Swahili name is “Mhanga” I’ve got no clue what relevance it has to the Swahili saying “Kujitolea mhanga” if you have the slightest clue please enlighten us by posting after you complete reading.
Strangely these shy animals live throughout Africa, south of the Sahara. Their name comes from South Africa’s Afrikaans language and means “earth pig.” A glimpse of the aardvark’s body and long snout brings the pig to mind. On closer inspection, the aardvark appears to include other animal features as well. It boasts rabbitlike ears and a kangaroo tail yet the aardvark is related to none of these animals.

LIFE OF AN AARDVARK

Aardvarks are nocturnal. They spend the hot African afternoon holed up in cool underground burrows dug with their powerful feet and claws that resemble small spades. After sunset, aardvarks put those claws to good use in acquiring their favorite food termites. (I guess you have know figured out why you probably have never come across one)
While foraging in grasslands and forests aardvarks, also called “antbears,” may travel several miles a night in search of large, earthen termite mounds. A hungry aardvark digs through the hard shell of a promising mound with its front claws and uses its long, sticky, wormlike tongue to feast on the insects within. It can close its nostrils to keep dust and insects from invading its snout, and its thick skin protects it from bites. It uses a similar technique to raid underground ant nests.
If you ever wander off during a game drive a hit an Aardvark hole my friend I bet you will never ever drive off-road, some of their burrows are extensively deep Hyenas are so fond of them as their bungalows because of their various compartments

The Sweetwaters Chimpanzees Sanctuary at Ol Pejeta Conservancy offers a second chance to Chimps rescued from the internationally banned pet trade. Chimps are not native to Kenya but when a rescue centre in Burundi closed due to civil war in 1993 Ol Pejeta opened its doors currently it is home to 39 Chimps.
They get to learn what it’s like to have friends and communicate with others of their kind, to clamber, unfettered, all the way up the tallest tree. They learn how to make a perfect nest of hay to sleep on, and how to get honey out of a hollow, using a stick. Begin to understand the hierarchy of his troop, its place in it and perhaps watch it change.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nobody knows exactly how many chimpanzees are left in the wild. Counting chimpanzees is often very difficult and sometimes dangerous, Chimpanzees are shy and live in dense rainforest. In addition, many of their home countries are affected by civil war and extreme poverty, Wild chimpanzees are only found in Africa, with just 5 countries that still have significant populations: Gabon, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Cameroon.

The worldwide illegal trade in captive chimpanzees (and other African ape species such as gorillas) that has arisen as a result of the bushmeat crisis of central and western Africa now threatens to completely overwhelm sanctuaries such as Sweetwaters and others like it across Africa.

Often whole chimpanzee and gorilla families are butchered, leaving behind infants that are captured alive for later export to zoos and medical institutions.  Heavily traumatized, these infants are occasionally intercepted in transit by government authorities. Sanctuaries such as Sweetwaters are called upon to provide refuge.

Come meet the 39 cheeky chimps waiting to say hello!!

Though living in the same environment, and housed in the same area, the chimps portray a wide and diverse character trait from each other “fact is we have a 98.6% gene similarity” these cousins of ours.

The following are 7 of the outstanding traits of different chimps;

Name: Max

Origin: Burundi

Year Rescued: 1996

Age: 31

Max spent his first years with a French film crew from whom he was confiscated in 1990.  When he first arrived at the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary his physical condition was poor and he was very nervous and aggressive.  His insecurities led him to form a close and special relationship with the night watchman- to this day he gravitates toward men in uniform

The all-time children’s favourite chimps, if you’re ever close to the platform and hear kids burst it laughter Max must be on stage pulling one of his many stunts to attract everyone’s attention keeps everyone on the edge.

Max is one heck of a troublemaker throwing stuff to visitors anything that he can get his grip on i.e. sticks and stones this fashion police is no fan of bright colours.

Looking at this male, makes you wonder whether chimpanzees can develop psychological dwarfism which I tend to believe is a phenomenon that may occur in human children on response to maternal deprivation. Showing marked retardation on growth and body development, of which no physical cause can be detected

Name: Poco

Origin: Burundi

Year Rescued: 1995

Age: 38

Meet everyone’s favorite chimp “the tallest boy in the building” rescued from a horrific 9 year trauma of being caged in an upright position in front of a petrol station in Burundi to “attract customers” these inhumane treatment makes him fond of standing and walking on his two feet that makes him stand out from the rest of the crowd through his bipedal swagger.

Poco likes to blow kisses to his fans who cheer him as he entertains them at the platform with his partner in crime Max, their fame exceeds their reputation the two are hardly missed at the platform they would rather go for lunch late than leave the platform unattended

Pocos prowess in entertaining people shows hope of the chimps. A second chance in life where they can enjoy life and live a natural life with the wonderful environment.

Name: Ali Kaka

Origin: South Sudan

Year Rescued: 2002

Age: 18

By the sheer size of his body and his tough demeanour he is the dominant male in one of the families, this is one guy with zero chills top on the pecking order he is the big boss and you don’t want to shove shoulders with.

He’s the top Alfa male of the old chimps groups always coming up with ingenious ways to try and shortcircuit the perimeter fence.

Name: Alley

Origin: Burundi

Year Rescued: 1995

Age:23

If you thought there are no slay queens in the animal kingdom then here’s your proof and on top of that, one of the most interesting lady in the crowd, she is very good at gestures, and use of sign language for example when you call her, she is very responsive and must definitely take the opportunity to show off with her natural charms.

She makes loud kissing noises, a habit she had apparently picked up in the bar of the Hotel du Lac (lakeside hotel) where she had been kept before I.N.E.C.N had confiscated her.

When you think you’ve seen it all were just getting started, clapping to attract attention and if you give her a cold shoulder wait for it!! She gets naughty and spits at people from time to time.

Alley is one handy expert when it comes to innovation and using tools making her one of the most brilliant Chimp in the sanctuary if you were moved by Michael Scofield’s prison break stunts this is one natural Hollywood star yet to be identified.

Surprisingly this mischievous escape artist is one of the best nannies for the group and a wonderful keen groomer often found caring for the young ones 

Name: Mary

Origin: South Sudan

Year Rescued: 2002

Age: 18

Well well well!! Meet the “diva” of the house she can be a handful when she is on her many mood swings she will give you some million-dollar attitude and sometimes doesn’t even have the time to look at the visitors.

 To top it all up she is the dominant female (in one of the groups) responsible for keeping it in check so no monkey business when she is around, very close friend to Saidia whom they came together from Sudan a natural matriarch she took her in as a sister a protects her whenever a fight breaks.

For no apparent reason, she is always on a scuffle with Max.

Name: Judy

Origin: Nairobi brought in by Kal Aman

Year Rescued: 1994

Age: 34

Sadly she is paralyzed, got polio when she was young.

Her beauty and humbleness cannot pass your eye, throwing her charm to the keepers and visitors. The ideal example of a mother and a responsible family member watching her makes you realize just how much we humans have to learn from our distance cousins when it comes to maternal care and love.

Judy is one handy lady when it comes to innovation and using tools, a keen onlooker and an intelligent lady.

Name: William

Origin: South Sudan

Year Rescued: 2002

Age: 18

The dominant and alpha male in one side of the family, a fully grown male and a force to reckon with, Williams charisma is easily noticed he is an excellent leader a perfect example of a father figure he pays keen attention to very tiny things and likes everything in place.

Well, am sure their recovery story must have inspired you!! make plans to visit the sanctuary over the bear in mind there are way more interesting stories from the guides who are also their keepers thus have a very close interaction with the other chimps, and way more interesting personalities to share about the rest of them. The sanctuary is open every day for visitors to the Conservancy.

Feel free to leave your comments once you meet the chimps

I am almost certain you have no idea what an Aardvark is unless you are one heck of a keen and dedicated ecologist or conservationist if you have come across this peculiar animal count yourself in lucky to be in a very short list of people who have had this rare opportunity to see this magnificent animal.

It’s almost impossible to come across this shy and strictly nocturnal animal during the daytime

Apparently, its Swahili name is “Mhanga” I’ve got no clue what relevance it has to the Swahili saying “Kujitolea mhanga” if you have the slightest clue please enlighten us by posting after you complete reading.

Strangely these shy animals live throughout Africa, south of the Sahara. Their name comes from South Africa’s Afrikaans language and means “earth pig.” A glimpse of the aardvark’s body and long snout brings the pig to mind. On closer inspection, the aardvark appears to include other animal features as well. It boasts rabbitlike ears and a kangaroo tail yet the aardvark is related to none of these animals.

LIFE OF AN AARDVARK

Aardvarks are nocturnal. They spend the hot African afternoon holed up in cool underground burrows dug with their powerful feet and claws that resemble small spades. After sunset, aardvarks put those claws to good use in acquiring their favourite food termites. (I guess you have now figured out why you probably have never come across one)

While foraging in grasslands and forests aardvarks, also called “antbears,” may travel several miles a night in search of large, earthen termite mounds. A hungry aardvark digs through the hard shell of a promising mound with its front claws and uses its long, sticky, wormlike tongue to feast on the insects within. It can close its nostrils to keep dust and insects from invading its snout, and its thick skin protects it from bites. It uses a similar technique to raid underground ant nests.
If you ever wander off during a game drive a hit an Aardvark hole my friend believe me you will never ever drive off-road, some of their burrows are extensively deep Hyenas are so fond of them as their bungalows because of their various compartments.
Female aardvarks typically give birth to one newborn each year. The young remain with their mother for about six months before moving out and digging their own burrows,(mansions) which can be extensive dwellings with many different openings. 
But there’s hope to come across this magnificent species a night game drive at the great Ol Pejeta Conservancy the window of opportunity a reality to see not only the aardvark but also other numerous nocturnal animals that you will most certainly never come across them in the daytime, make a date reserve your night game drive www.olpejetaconservancy.org