Bonobo Survival: Bonobo Survival: Understanding Understanding ConservationConservation

Bonobos are:Bonobos are:

Great apesGreat apes Residents of the Democratic Republic of Residents of the Democratic Republic of

CongoCongo Very social beingsVery social beings MatriarchalMatriarchal EgalitarianEgalitarian PeacefulPeaceful EndangeredEndangered

Bonobos are an Bonobos are an endangered speciesendangered species

At this point, no one knows how many At this point, no one knows how many bonobos remain. bonobos remain.

Estimates range from 5,000 to 50,000 Estimates range from 5,000 to 50,000 total. total.

Bonobos are in extreme peril. Bonobos are in extreme peril.

What do bonobos need to What do bonobos need to survive?survive?

FoodFood A home – forestsA home – forests SafetySafety

The two biggest The two biggest specific threats to specific threats to bonobos are:bonobos are:

HuntingHunting and and

habitat destructionhabitat destruction

Life is tough for many Life is tough for many residents of the Democratic residents of the Democratic Republic of CongoRepublic of Congo The Congo War, which officially ended in The Congo War, which officially ended in

2003, claimed more than 4 million lives. 2003, claimed more than 4 million lives. The people and the communities were The people and the communities were

badly affected by all the violence.badly affected by all the violence. Many people lost their farms or their jobs.Many people lost their farms or their jobs. The people are still trying to rebuild, and The people are still trying to rebuild, and

most live in extreme poverty.most live in extreme poverty.

Hunting for “bushmeat”Hunting for “bushmeat”

People living within and near the forests People living within and near the forests hunt wild animals, or “bushmeat,” as a hunt wild animals, or “bushmeat,” as a way of life and means for survival. They way of life and means for survival. They have done so for a very long time. have done so for a very long time.

Increasingly, however, people are also Increasingly, however, people are also hunting wild animals, including bonobos, hunting wild animals, including bonobos, for sale in the commercial bushmeat for sale in the commercial bushmeat trade. trade.

Illegal LoggingIllegal Logging

The Congolese government has a The Congolese government has a current ban on new logging. current ban on new logging.

But illegal logging continues.But illegal logging continues. This destroys bonobo habitat.This destroys bonobo habitat.

Key PointsKey Points

Some people are motivated by a need to Some people are motivated by a need to survive. There are few jobs and many survive. There are few jobs and many people are hungry.people are hungry.

Some people are motivated by greed. Some people are motivated by greed. They do not know the harm they are They do not know the harm they are causing, or they do not care.causing, or they do not care.

What should be done What should be done to save bonobos and to save bonobos and ensure they can live ensure they can live safe lives?safe lives?

Habitat protection – bonobos need their forest Habitat protection – bonobos need their forest homehome

Sustainable jobs - bonobos’ human neighbors Sustainable jobs - bonobos’ human neighbors need jobs and forms of livelihood which do not need jobs and forms of livelihood which do not hurt animalshurt animals

Action and enforcement – laws created to Action and enforcement – laws created to protect bonobos and their home need to be protect bonobos and their home need to be enforced enforced

Education – the more people know, they more Education – the more people know, they more likely they are to carelikely they are to care

Conservation has to have Conservation has to have many componentsmany components