Rare Bongos Rescued After Aborted Takeoff at Palm Beach Airport

Conservation groups scrambled to care for stranded endangered antelopes on the tarmac.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Eight critically endangered mountain bongo antelopes were stranded at Palm Beach International Airport on February 7 after a chartered cargo jet aborted its departure while taxiing. Airport crews and staff from the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation worked quickly to care for the animals until they could continue their journey to a protected sanctuary in Kenya.

Why it matters

The mountain bongo is one of Kenya's rarest forest antelopes, with fewer than 100 individuals remaining in the wild. Captive breeding and reintroduction programs are crucial to rebuilding the species' population and genetic diversity, making this airport rescue a significant moment for global conservation efforts.

The details

The chartered Boeing 767 freighter scrubbed its taxi at around 8:30 p.m. when the captain detected a mechanical problem, leaving the eight bongos and their gear parked on the ramp. RSCF founder Dr. Paul Reillo personally helped keep the bongos calm and fed until the issue was resolved and they could continue their journey to the Mount Kenya sanctuary.

  • On February 7, the chartered cargo jet aborted its departure while taxiing at Palm Beach International Airport.
  • Around 8:30 p.m., the Boeing 767 freighter scrubbed its taxi due to a mechanical problem.

The players

Rare Species Conservatory Foundation

A conservation organization that runs breeding programs to repatriate critically endangered mountain bongos to Kenya.

Dr. Paul Reillo

The founder of the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation who personally helped care for the stranded bongos on the tarmac.

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What they’re saying

“There is simply no higher calling for humanity than to protect what remains of nature.”

— Dr. Paul Reillo, Founder, Rare Species Conservatory Foundation (Rare Species Conservatory Foundation website)

What’s next

The bongos were forwarded to acclimation paddocks on Mount Kenya, where they will undergo quarantine, health checks, and close monitoring before being gradually introduced into breeding programs and potentially reintroduced to nearby forests.

The takeaway

This airport rescue highlights the critical importance of captive breeding and reintroduction programs in saving rare and endangered species like the mountain bongo. It also showcases the dedication of conservation groups and local crews who work tirelessly to protect the world's remaining natural wonders.