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One of the primary missions of the Bonobo Conservation Initiative
and bonobo.org is to raise awareness about bonobos and their
endangered plight in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Another
goal is to facilitate partnership among various people and organizations
working for bonobo conservation — and to help broaden and strengthen
that network. The ultimate goal is to protect bonobos in the
Congo. Here are projects the Initiative is actively developing
right now. If you would like to participate, please let
us know!
New Community Based Reserves!
The development of a new Community-Based Reserve at Kokolopori
has been supported by the BCI Bonobo Surveys & Information
Exchange project.
While the ecological surveys gained valuable evidence about
bonobo populations, vegetation and other biodiversity indicators,
the information exchange component of the project has been instrumental
in motivating local support and participation in conservation
efforts. This has catalyzed the development of the Kokolopori
Bonobo Reserve, in the Central Congo Basin, which will be the first
community-based reserve in the bonobo habitat. In 2003, BCI
and Vie Sauvage received signed accords from the villages of
Kokolopori to create a community-based reserve encompassing
over 1100 square miles.
In addition, Vie Sauvage has signed an accord with the Lonua
villages (1900 square miles) to the northeast of Kokolopori,
where bonobo populations are also evident. The new reserves
could be linked through a corridor and buffer zone to the existing
Luo Scientific Reserve around the long-term research site at
Wamba. On- going
survey and information exchange work will identify and lay the
groundwork for creation of an expanding network of community
managed protected areas.
Click on the picture of the grey parrot to learn what other
species may be found at Kokolopori.
“Shadows in the Forest” Bonobo Lore Awareness Campaign
 For centuries,
indigenous folklore about bonobos has perpetuated traditional
taboos against hunting the apes. But now, the taboos are breaking
down in the face of sweeping social changes, civil war and economic
collapse. We are currently at work transcribing Congolese folk
tales about bonobos and life in the forest, with the aim to
disseminate the stories publically through print, radio, and
other media. In this way, we hope to reinforce traditional taboos
and promote bonobo protection in the DRC. This project builds
on the work of Dr.
Takayoshi Kano, the pioneer of bonobo field research, who
has collaborated with the Mongandu people of Wamba since the
mid-1970s. We are mining the full body of primary source material
collected by Kano, together with stories discovered by others
to produce radio spots (and eventually a series), educational
materials and a book in French and Lingala for distribution
in the DRC.
The Power of Music
Music motivates like no other medium...and the Congo’s got
it in its soul. BCI has partnered with one of the country's
most influential personalities, top Congolese musician, Werrason,
to promote bonobo conservation through Radio spots, TV and CDs.
Werrason is also called "le Roi de la Foret" (the
King of the Forest) and can be a powerful voice to help save
the bonobo and its forest home.
BCI advisor Wynne Paris
has also been assisting with BCI's production of radio spots
and networking with internationally known musicians who are
interested in great apes and conservation.
And we thank our friends at the Jazz Scene for their continued support.
Sister City to Save Bonobos
Falls Church, Virginia has recently officially announced its status as a "Sister City" to Kokolopori. Kokolopori is a rainforest community in the heart of the Bonobo Habitat, whose citizens have long protected bonobos and who, with the help of BCI and Congolese NGO partner, Vie Sauvage, are establishing the first Community-Based Reserve to protect bonobos. The Sister City Partnership is an effort mainly driven by dedicated volunteers.
Religious-Based Initiatives
The religious
network has widespread roots and a powerful voice in the Congo,
and is one organizational structure that abides regardless of
political turmoil. Because similar efforts have proven successful
elsewhere in Africa, we are exploring ways to actively partner
with religious networks to promote the message to “care for creation”
and refrain from hunting or eating apes. One avenue currently
being investigated is to coordinate with similar efforts targeting
HIV/AIDS. Recent findings confirm that the AIDS virus jumped from
chimpanzees to humans. We will reinforce the message that hunting
apes and disturbing the natural balance of the forest can lead
to new disease—and beyond that, many medicines and cures are found
in the forest, which itself needs to be preserved.
Great Apes Conservation Act & Millennium Campaign
Through testimony, networking, and other efforts, BCI helped rally
support for the Great Apes Conservation
Act, passed by Congress. The passing of this legislation has
produced significant funding through the Great Ape Conservation
Fund (GACF) for Great Ape and bonobo conservation and can
be leveraged to catalyze a major international media campaign
for all the apes. The Democratic Republic of Congo is the only
country to have within its borders all three of the African great
ape species: the bonobo, chimpanzee, and gorilla. In concert with
other groups, BCI is working to position bonobos and the other
great apes as flagship species. BCI has received GACF funds through
the U.S Fish & Wildlife Service to support our Bonobo Survey
and Information Exchange project.
Traditional Forest Related Knowledge
BCI believes that local spiritual beliefs play an important
role in maintaining this rich ecosystem, and it is these underlying
beliefs and traditional management systems that support significant
local investment in the development of conservation programs.
[More]
If any of these projects interest you, please join in—or show your support with a tax-deductable donation!
Email and tell us how you would like to participate. If you have ideas of your own please let us know.
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