Cape May Court House in Middle Township in Cape May County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Mara's Journey
Born: June 1, 2002
Parents: Emma and Kruger
August 31, 2003 Mara began preliminary testing here at the Cape May County Zoo to prepare for her journey.
Mara at the age of 14 months began her trip on September 29, 2003. She was transfered to White Oak Conservation Center in Florida for the required 3 month quarantine period and preshipment testing for overseas travel along with other bongos involved in the project.
On January 28, 2004 she was flown to Nairobi along with the rest of the herd arriving on January 29, 2004 at 8 pm. They were transported by truck to the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy.
Mara and the others were placed in a special enclosure separated from the 18 captive bongos that never left Africa. Upon the completion of the fence around the 100 acre preserve, comprised of natural bongo habitat (untouched forest), several months after the American and African bongos were mixed together.
In March of 2006 officials at the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy informed us that Mara had given birth to her first calf, a female named Ajabu which means "Surprise" in Swahili.
Mara's journey was made possible by the support of the Cape May County Zoological
this page online
The Cape May County Zoo AAZK Chapter (American Association of Zoo Keepers) sends a monetary donation every year to the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy in Mara's name to show its continued support of this very important project.
Erected by Cape May County Zoological Society; Cape May County Zoo.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Environment. A significant historical date for this entry is January 28, 2004.
Location. 39° 6.211′ N, 74° 48.91′ W. Marker is in Middle Township, New Jersey, in Cape May County. It is in Cape May Court House. It can be reached from County Park Road 0.2 miles west of North Main Street (U.S. 9), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 31 Whiting Ln, Cape May Court House NJ 08210, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on New Jersey’s Jersey Shore. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Bongo Repatriation Project (here, next to this marker); Palm Oil Crisis (within shouting distance of this marker); De Brazza's Monkey (within shouting distance of this marker); Numar (within shouting distance of this marker); Bald Eagle (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Why are there fewer bees? / How you can help / The benefits of honey (within shouting distance of this marker); Why are there fewer bees? (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Middle Township.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 23, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 170 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 23, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
