Trail cameras in a remote patch of Kenya's Maasai Mau forest photographed three critically endangered mountain bongos for the first time in years, suggesting small groups may persist outside the Aberdares. The images — taken about 125 miles (200 km) from the species' main wild population — strengthen calls to curb illegal logging and expand habitat protection. Conservationists say each confirmed sighting helps evaluate captive-breeding and recovery efforts.
Trail Cameras Capture the 'Ghost of the Forest': Three Critically Endangered Mountain Bongos Photographed in Maasai Mau
Photo Credit: Chester Zoo and MBP
Trail cameras have captured images of three critically endangered mountain bongos in a remnant patch of Kenya's Maasai Mau forest — the first confirmed sightings there in years and a hopeful sign for the species' survival.
The photographs were taken by rangers from the Mountain Bongo Project and partner organisations in rugged sections of Maasai Mau, roughly 125 miles (about 200 km) from the mountain bongo's main wild population in the Aberdares.
Evidence From Remote Cameras
Often called the "ghost of the forest" because it is so rarely seen, the mountain bongo is a chestnut-colored antelope with large ears and striking white stripes. Conservationists estimate about 700 bongos live in zoos and sanctuaries worldwide, while fewer than 100 are believed to remain in the wild.
Teams discovered the images after retrieving memory cards from motion-activated trail cameras placed along likely wildlife routes. The pictures provide direct, verifiable evidence that bongos still move through parts of Maasai Mau where some experts feared they had disappeared.
"The excitement in camp was unbelievable when we first looked through the photos," said Oscar Dyer, director of operations at the Mountain Bongo Project. "Seeing a bongo here again is incredibly exciting — and it reinforces our determination to continue searching, protecting this forest, and finding evidence of more bongos."
Why This Matters
Documenting these individuals strengthens calls to improve protection for Maasai Mau, which does not enjoy the same formal safeguards as the Aberdares. Preventing illegal logging and habitat destruction is critical to preserving the forest ecosystems that support biodiversity, local livelihoods, and long-term land health.
Conservationists in Kenya, the United States and Europe run captive-breeding programmes intended to bolster wild populations over time. Each confirmed wild sighting gives researchers an additional data point to evaluate the effectiveness of those strategies and to plan targeted conservation action.
Chris McGovern of the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance said the images "provide direct evidence that these extremely rare antelopes are surviving in places where conservationists feared they had once disappeared." Chester Zoo added on Instagram that "the best chance for bongos is to highlight the need to protect the forests where they're found, before these habitats disappear."
Researchers plan further monitoring to determine whether the photographs indicate transient individuals or a small surviving population. For now, the images offer a rare reason for optimism and a clear reminder: protecting remaining forest fragments matters.
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