BCI has rescued 7 orphan bonobos from 2004 to 2006, and delivered most of them safely to the sanctuary in Kinshasa. We had learned of more, but did not have the resources to save them. We are hopeful that as our conservation, education and enforcement programs expand that there will be fewer orphans to rescue. However, it is a fight against time. In the first half of 2006 alone, BCI teams found 5 other orphans, victims of the bushmeat trade. We are sad to report that one young infant was so debilitated that it died almost immediately after we managed to confiscate it. We were not able to take possession of the others. Limited resources, overwhelming logistical difficulties and lack of legal enforcement infrastructure throughout most of the bonobo habitat makes our work difficult, and sometimes dangerous.

Baby Iboko, captured by bushmeat hunter

In February, 2005, BCI President, Sally Coxe, known to the Congolese as "Mama Bonobo," and BCI partner Dr. Mwanza Ndunda, Director of the Centre de Recherche en Ecologie et Forestrie, confiscated baby Iboko in Mbandaka, DRC. Iboko had been captured in the Lac Tumba region by bushmeat hunters who had killed his parents and hoped to sell the baby as a pet.

For each orphan bonobo found it is likely that many more have been killed. Bushmeat hunters kill entire families and sometimes keep a baby to sell as a pet. Only a small proportion of orphan bonobos actually come to the attention of BCI or the authorities.

It is illegal to kill or capture bonobos in the DRC, but in many places people and authorities are ignorant of the laws or there is no enforcement. BCI is working closely with local authorities and Congolese NGOs to support improved enforcement and education in the region.

Recent survey reports are frightening and seem to corroborate researchers’ pessimistic estimates of precipitous declines in bonobo populations. Although no comprehensive census has been taken, some experts have estimated the accelerated decline over the years: from 200,000 in 1976 to 100,000 in 1996 to possibly 10,000 or less today. This indicates a decline of over 11,000 per year for the past 8 years. We know these numbers are not 100% accurate or confirmed, but if they are even 50% correct, the remaining bonobos are in extreme crisis.

In addition, a recent United Nations study indicated that with infrastructure growth at current levels, the undisturbed bonobo habitat left by 2030 is projected to be 4% of its original range, the lowest for any great ape. Rescue: In November 2004, Sally Coxe, known to the Congolese as “Mama Bonobo,” and Bonobo Conservation Initiative (BCI) partner Dr. Mwanza Ndunda, Director of the Centre de Recherche en Ecologie et Forestrie, helped save baby Mabali. Mabali had been captured in the Salonga region, which was recently covered in worldwide news reports, Bonobo Chimps Face Extinction , WASHINGTON POST, December 14, 2004, and more). The articles focused on extensive surveys of the Salonga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. No bonobos had been sighted in 2 years of surveys. This is especially troubling in that Salonga is the only National Park established to protect bonobos.

The rescue of Baby Mabali was covered by over a dozen Congolese media outlets including print and television. Adorable and helpless orphan bonobos have a strong appeal and the Congolese medias’ interest in Mabali’s plight was helpful in getting a message to the Congolese people.

What it takes to save Bonobos:

It takes heartfelt commitment, sacrifice, bravery and dedication. It takes unique individu

als like the staff of BCI and its Congolese partners. In addition to bonobo surveys, scientific research, and the development of conservation and sustainable development programs, BCI and its partners must deal with the realities on the ground. Over 3.5 million people have been killed in DRC conflict since 1996. The average DRC income is $1 a day; in some rural areas nurses earn $2.50 a day and teachers receive $4 a day. Soldiers, still roving the countryside, are often not paid at all. Soldiers sometimes feed themselves and supplement their income through bushmeat hunting, and a baby bonobo can bring over $100 on the black market. BCI and its partners often must deal with these soldiers, and other bushmeat hunters.

Once bonobos arrive in the sanctuary, they are safe, but the difficult task ahead is to assure that they are safe in their forest home. If you are intersted in helping save this unique species and its rainforest home, please help now!