The Democratic Republic of Congo is home to more species of mammals and birds than any other country in Africa. Bonobos living in the Cuvette Centrale share their habitat with Forest Elephants, Hippopotamai, leopards, a variety of species of crocodiles, Bongos, Okapis, and more. Many species, especially large mammals and primates are under severe threat from Bushmeat hunting [learn more], agricultural expansion adn logging.

BCI is working with Congolese partners in several areas, performing bonobo and biodiversity surveys and implementing conservation programs. We are establishing the Lopori Bonobo Reserves in one of the richest areas of biodiversity in Equateur, which still contains large tracts of undisturbed forests.

Species found within The new Lopori Reserves!

The Lopori river system is contained within the Central Congo Basin Moist Forests ecoregion which is globally recognized for its intact assemblages of rainforest flora and fauna. There are estimates of between 1,500 and 2,000 vascular plant species in the broader ecosystem, of which about 10 percent are endemic (WWF and IUCN 1994). Kokolopori is unique as a site having three rare species of primates together, as well as a significant number of other primate species including several listed as Vulnerable or with insufficient data according to the IUCN redlist. Although our surveys are designed for primates and large mammals, observations are made for other fauna, especially congo peacock. The species listed herein are known to live within the region, all primates excluding the potto and bushbaby (which are nocturnal) have been observed; and the majority of mammals listed have been observed by our teams. Survey teams will seek to document evidence of other species. A great diversity of birds and reptiles have also been observed but not all officially recorded at this stage. The leopard has not been sighted yet, but is in evidence. The forest elephant is rare, but locals confirm elephants in unsurveyed sections.

The Loto forest study site within Kokolopori contains the Salongo Monkey (Cercopithecus dryas), a rare primate species called ntolu by the local people. Loto forest will be a unique site where studies of this unknown primate could be successfully conducted, considering the reported party sizes (15 individuals per group) and the encounter rates. Also, the Thollon's/Tshuapa red colobus, (Procolobus tholloni), is present in Kokolopori forest. Its feeding ecology is not yet studied and its status is unsufficiently known.

The following are a sampling species found in the reserve area:

Primates:
Bonobo (Pan paniscus EN), Tshuapa/Thollon's red colobus (Procolobus p. tholloni-EN,DD, Allen's swamp monkey (Allenopithecus nigroviridis-LR,nt), Wolf's monkey (C. wolfi), the Salongo monkey (Cercopithecus dryas DD-VU), Redtail Monkey (Cercopithecus ascanius), DeBrazza's Monkey(Cercopithecus neglectus), Black mangabey (Lophocebus atterimus-LR,nt), Angolan black and white colobus monkey (Colobus angolensis), Potto (Perodicticus potto), Bushbaby(Galago). Learn more about cercopithecidae

Learn about our exciting new Salongo monkey project [click here]

Other mammals:
Aardvark ( Orycteropus afer), Angolan cusimanse(Crossarchus ansorgei DD),Giant ground pangolin (Manis gigantea), Water Chevrotain (Hyemoschus aquaticus-DD), Forest elephants (Loxidonta africana cyclotis), Leopard (Panthera pardus) Golden cat (Felis aurata-VU). Aquatic genet (Osbornictis piscivora DD) Giant genet (Genetta victoriae), Sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekei-LR,nt), Bongo (Tragelaphus euryceros-LR,nt), Congo Forest Buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus-LR,cd),
Bush Pig (Potamochoerus porcus), Yellow-backed Duiker (Cephalophus sylvicultor-LR,nt), Bay Duiker (Cephalophus dorsalis-LR,nt), Peter's Duiker ( Cephalophus callipygus-LR,nt), Black-fronted Duiker (Cephalophus nigrifrons-LR,nt), Blue Duiker (Cephalophus monticola).

Avifauna:
Five species represent near-endemics with restricted ranges, these are the Congo peacock (Afropavo congensis- VU) and the yellow-legged malimbe (Malimbus flavipes), the Congo sunbird (Nectarinia congensis), the African river martin (Pseudochelidon eurystomina DD) and the Congo martin (Riparia ongica). Also observed are Horn bill (Bycanistes spp) Guinea cock (Guttera), and of special conservation interest is the Gray Parrot (Psittacus erithacus).
Learn more about the elusive Congo peacock.

Herpetofauna:
Endemics include the Gembe reed frog (Hyperolius robustus), the Lomami screeching frog (Arthroleptis phyrynoides), Vanderyst's work lizard (Monopeltis vanderysti), the Tiny wax frog (Cryptothylax minutus). the Gray chameleon (Chamaeleo chapini). Others include Green mamba (Dendroaspis viridis), Black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepsis), African Rock Python (Python sebae) Gaboon Viper (Bitis gabonica), Rhinoceros-horned Viper, (Bitis nasicornis), Keel-Bellied Lizard (Gastropholis tropidopholis), Snake-eating snake (Polemon robustus), Worm Lizard (Zygaspis dolichomentas), File snake (Mehelya laurenti), Nile Crocodile (Crocodylas niloticus), Long-snouted crocodile. (Crocodylas cataphractus-DD).

Icthyofauna:
Another important biodiversity indicator is fish species. The Congo River basin is second only to the Amazon basin in species richness. 25 families and 686 species have been reliably reported, including approximately 548 endemics. Of the four designated sections of the Congo River Basin, the Cuvette Centrale, which contains The Lopori River, is considered to have the highest species richness in the Congo. [WCMC].

IUCN Red list categories - CR - Critically Endangered, EN - Endangered, DD - Data Deficient, VU - Vulnerable, LR - Lower Risk, cd - conservation dependent, nt - near threatened.