DR Congo sanctuary protects endangered Bonobos from poaching
Deep in the forests surrounding Kinshasa, caregivers at the Democratic Republic of Congo’s only bonobo sanctuary are working to save orphaned apes rescued from poachers and the illegal bushmeat trade, as reported by The Associated Press on May 13th.
At the Lola ya Bonobo sanctuary, baby bonobos separated from their families are raised by foster mothers who provide around-the-clock care, including bottle feeding, emotional support and social interaction with other young bonobos.
The sanctuary currently cares for dozens of bonobos, including 11 young apes, many of whom were rescued after poachers killed adult members of their groups. Conservationists say the animals are victims of a growing bushmeat trade that continues despite legal protections for great apes.
“Without us, these bonobos cannot survive,” said caregiver Micheline Nzonzi, who has worked as a foster mother at the sanctuary for more than two decades.
Bonobos, found only in the Democratic Republic of Congo, are among humans’ closest living relatives and share nearly 99% of human DNA. However, their population has sharply declined over recent decades. Researchers estimated around 100,000 bonobos lived in the wild during the 1980s, but current estimates suggest only about 20,000 remain.
Experts say bonobos are especially vulnerable because of their slow reproductive cycle, with mothers raising babies for up to five years. Habitat destruction and commercial hunting have further accelerated their decline.
Congolese authorities have proposed introducing “bonobo credits,” a conservation initiative similar to carbon credits, aimed at rewarding communities that help preserve forests and protect wildlife. However, the programme has yet to be implemented.
Although primate meat is officially banned in markets in Kinshasa, the trade has largely gone underground. Conservation workers say poachers often use captured baby bonobos to lure adult apes before killing them.
Despite the challenges, workers at Lola ya Bonobo say strong emotional bonds between caregivers and the animals remain central to rehabilitation efforts. Some bonobos eventually return to protected forest habitats after years of preparation.
For many at the sanctuary, protecting bonobos is not only about saving a species, but preserving one of humanity’s closest relatives from disappearing forever.
The Associated Press, Maghrebi.org
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