Bonobos
are humankind's closest relatives, along with chimpanzees, yet most people don't even know that bonobos exist! They live only in one country: the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Bonobos were last great ape species to be discovered, and could be the first to go extinct if we do not act quickly to save them and their rainforest home. Bonobos stand apart from the other great apes in fascinating and important ways. But perhaps the most compelling aspect of bonobos is their society ... [More]

The Bonobo Conservation Initiative
(BCI) is dedicated to ensuring the survival of the bonobo (Pan paniscus) and its tropical forest habitat in the Congo Basin. By working with indigenous Congolese people through cooperative conservation and community development programs, as well as on the national and international levels, BCI is establishing new protected areas and leading efforts to safeguard bonobos wherever they are found. [More]

Bonobos inhabit the heart of the Congo Basin, the second largest rainforest on earth, of critical importance to the health of the planet. The vast equatorial rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo are under increasing threat. Along with creating new community-based reserves, BCI is currently spearheading efforts to convert 1.4 million hectares of unexploited logging concessions to conservation in the Bonobo Peace Forest. [More]

BCI recognized for excellence in the Catalogue of Philanthropy.
"Charities were selected for excellence, innovation, and cost-effectiveness--and for what they can teach us about the extraordinary ways that philanthropy works," said Barbara Harman, Executive Director of the Harman Family Foundation. "These are certainly among the best..." [More]

You can help!
The clock is ticking for bonobos and their rainforest home. You can help now by making a secure donation on-line that will directly support bonobo protection at key sites throughout the habitat and help to empower our Congolese partners on the front lines of this vital work.

 

Announcing the new
Sankuru Nature Reserve!

Massive 11,000 square mile rainforest reserve established for bonobos and other rare species!

Larger than Belgium or the state of Massachusetts, the new Sankuru Reserve encompasses 11,803 square miles (30,570 km2) of tropical rainforest, making it the largest continuous protected area for great apes in the world. Located in a remote area of the Congo rainforest, the new reserve is the first to protect both bonobos and okapi, a rare forest giraffe found, like the bonobo, only in the DRC. [Learn more]

In The News: Champion of a Forest Sanctuary
"A huge forest sanctuary may save thousands of these gentle, sexy apes within their home. They have found their perfect champion in the BCI and Sally Coxe." - Frans de Waal, director Living Links Center, Emory University [Read the article!]

TIME Magazine: Eden for the Peaceful Apes
“Of all our primate kin, none fascinate us like the sociable, sexual bonobo. Conservationists fear for the species’ survival, but an answer may have been found in one of the most war-torn parts of the world…” [See Photo Essay!], [Read the article!]

A private foundation is awarding BCI a $100,000 challenge grant to help us meet urgent conservation priorities. The date has been extended on this wonderful opportunity - all donations up to $100,000 received between now and May 31, 2008 will be matched dollar for dollar. That means your contribution will have twice the impact. Please help us meet this important challenge! Donations can be made online with a credit card, by check, by wire transfer, or by the donation of stock. For more information, contact BCI at 202-332-1014 or write to bci@bonobo.org.

One of the key elements to conservation success is on-the-ground, local monitoring. Once important bonobo sites have been identified and communities commit to conservation, local teams are trained and equipped to monitor and protect bonobos in the forest. BCI is currently supporting more than 70 local trackers who monitor bonobos and other biodiversity on a daily basis at 10 important bonobo sites.

Quick link to BCI highlights:

Kokolopori-Falls Church Sister City Partnership
Bikes for Bonobos!
Forest Protected from Loggers
Bonobos survive the war at Lilungu.