Hope for the bonobos

Bonobos are the gentlest and most endangered of all the Great Apes, found only in the Democratic Republic of Congo. But despite their limited numbers, bonobos are being hunted and slaughtered for bushmeat.

Young bonobos are orphaned by the killings. Petrified, alone and often injured, they face starvation or, if the poachers take them, a lifetime of misery in the pet trade. The lucky ones will be found and confiscated by authorities.

WSPA works with local member society Lola ya Bonobo to offer these traumatized young apes a chance of survival.

Rescue and rehabilitation

It takes a great deal of time and effort to rehabilitate traumatized young bonobos. Lola ya Bonobo’s program gives these animals the best chance to lead a full life, with the eventual possibility of release into a protected forest.

Rehabilitation starts with medical attention, given by trained sanctuary staff. Bonobos are fragile and their survival is dependent on swift treatment for illnesses, including respiratory infections and skin diseases. They are fed a natural diet sourced from local markets.

Psychological welfare is also crucial to long-term survival – more than one orphan has been lost due to sheer stress. To combat this, infant bonobos are assigned to a particular member of staff, who will offer them the reassurances and physical contact they need.

As the infant bonobos grow and develop confidence they are introduced to one another. Eventually, after some years, the young apes will be integrated into a group of adults.

Release: back to the wild

Release is the only way to create much-needed sanctuary space to take in more orphans who wouldn’t otherwise survive. But this is a complicated and long-term goal.

WSPA is assisting Lola y a Bonobo in obtaining expert advice to develop a comprehensive release plan for young apes. This involves sourcing a safe and secure release site and carrying out thorough health screenings to make sure the bonobos are ready for their new lives.

Once released, the bonobos will be carefully monitored. This will allow the sanctuary to make sure the reintroduction program works and assess whether it is a viable long-term solution.

Looking to the future

Bonobos are already endangered. To protect those that remain, WSPA is helping Lola ya Bonobo to ensure better enforcement of anti-poaching laws and providing educational tools.

Lola ya Bonobo are using these to work with local communities, creating a greater understanding of this amazing Great Ape and discouraging the hunting of bonobos for bushmeat or the pet trade.

For more information about the sanctuary and their work, visit their website.