KSA and MKWC announce collaboration in geospatial technologies for the conservation of Mountain Bongos and their Habitat

5th December 2023

Kenya Space Agency HQ, Pitman House - NAIROBI, 5th December 2023 - The Kenya Space Agency (KSA) and Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy (MKWC) proudly announce a transformative collaboration, marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in geospatial technologies for biodiversity conservation. Focused on the critically endangered Mountain Bongo and its habitat on Mount Kenya, this five-year partnership aims to leverage space technology for real-time monitoring, community engagement, and sustainable land management.

The Mountain Bongo, which is native to Kenya and is listed as "Critically Endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), is on the verge of extinction, with less than 100 individuals remaining in the wild. The collaboration's primary goal is to restore the severely endangered Mountain Bongo population and its habitat, Mount Kenya, with a secondary goal of encouraging community involvement in the conservation of the ecosystem, which also houses an important water tower. The agreement involves mutual investments in the development of skills, expertise, competence, experience, and ecological monitoring techniques to aid in ecosystem protection.

This partnership heralds an exciting era of technology-infused conservation and will also go a long way in facilitating the local communities to witness how space science can be used to improve their immediate environment. The collaboration identifies conservation education as a key intervention and will seek to create opportunities to inspire the young people into futuristic conservation. MKWC will have a dedicated setup to demonstrate the use of space technology in animal and habitat conservation.

Brig. Hillary Kipkosgey, Acting Director General of Kenya Space Agency, states, "This MoU signifies a commitment between KSA and MKWC to collaborate in using space technologies in managing and conserving our wildlife as part of our national heritage and a natural resource that serves as a great tourist attraction to our country."

The collaboration also places an emphasis on education, with KSA's Space Clubs and MKWC's Education program collaborating to inspire and educate young people about cutting- edge space technology and conservation. The MoU facilitates collaboration in assessing land

Kenya Space Agency and Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy collaborate to intensify wildlife conservation efforts by applying geospatial technologies.

Mount Kenya Wildlife is implementing long-lasting measures to restore critically endangered mountain Bongo, and its delicate habitat on the slopes of the highest mountain in Kenya.

use changes, deforestation, and soil degradation, providing crucial data for shaping sustainable land management strategies.

“We are excited and proud to be utilizing space technology and earth observation data through the partnership with Kenya Space Agency. This collaboration will take us to the next level in understanding the Mountain Bongo’s habitats and behaviours, using space technology to provide real-time monitoring capabilities and valuable data to inform our conservation strategies.” Dr. Robert Aruho, Head of Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy

The partnership aligns with global practices where geospatial technologies have successfully been employed in wildlife conservation. Both KSA and MKWC are optimistic that this fusion of space technology and conservation efforts will make a profound impact on preserving the critically endangered Mountain Bongo and enhancing Kenya's biodiversity.

As the world focuses on global solutions and climate action this week at COP28 this partnership demonstrates commitment by KSA and MKWC to contribute towards the 1.5° C target for limiting global warming to reduce the harmful effects of climate change and reduction of harmful emissions by 1/3 through ecosystem restoration.

Press Contacts:

Kenya Space Agency

Johnmark Ochieng,

Johnmark.ochieng@ksa.go.ke 

www.ksa.go.ke

Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy

Neema G. Mutemi, MCIPR

+254 725 996 566 

n.mutemi@woodrowcommunications.com

 www.mountkenyawildlifeconservancy.org