In June 2023 Back to Africa director accompanied a group of Kenyans to visit Eswatini where  Back to Africa introduced roan antelope from European zoo’s. The last wild roan died in Eswatini in 1961 from a snare.

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Tourists entering Mlilwane reserve in Eswatini now have the pleasure of seeing these antelope running free in the reserve.

 The Kenyans are involved with an initiative to restore a population of mountain Bongo at Ragati on the slopes of Mount Kenya.

 

This antelope is classified by CITES as an Appendix 1 endangered species. There are a handful left in the wild. Specialized management is required to take antelope from a zoo environment back to Africa. The group came to inspect habituation facilities and  see  first-hand the management interventions required to ensure their survival.

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Pictured are Ted and Liz Reilly from Big Game Parks Eswatini, Kenya Wild Life Services veterinarian Dr Dominic Mjele. private veterinarian Dr Kivara Luke, Brendan Hill and Dr Hamish Currie