Re-introduction and translocation of eastern bongo in Kenya; is it necessary and if so what are likely to be the most effective methodologies of achieving meaningful conservation goals?

Summary

The eastern (mountain) bongo, found in the wild only in four isolated, non-connected Kenyan forest populations that have collapsed from an estimated 500-plus animals in the Aberdares alone in the 1980s to perhaps 100 total today due to poaching and habitat pressure, was the subject of a 2004 repatriation that brought 18 bongo from North American zoos to a captive facility at the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, joining an existing herd. That herd has since grown despite high mortality from tick-borne theileriosis, creating pressure to release animals into the Mount Kenya World Heritage Site, but a 2008 population viability analysis by the European Endangered Species Programme coordinator found Kenya's wild bongo faced an 89% chance of total extinction within 50 years under current conditions, a risk reducible to 12% with complete protection and zero poaching, though even then 13% of remaining genetic diversity would still be lost. The analysis concluded any release should wait until wild populations are secured, a conservation masterplan is finalized, the genetic status of wild and captive stock is assessed, and disease-transfer risk is evaluated. The project instead pursues a metapopulation strategy incorporating captive herds in Europe and North America, exploring embryo transfer into the Kenyan captive herd to restore lost genetic diversity at lower stress and cost than live transport, ahead of any eventual release. Major difficulties included continuing wild decline, uncertain genetic status of existing herds, and unresolved disease risk. The project rates itself Partially Successful, describing the 2004 repatriation as only a partial success.