In the Congo, the Lola ya Bonobo sanctuary is the only place in the world dedicated to saving orphaned bonobos, a species of great ape endangered by poaching and the bushmeat trade. Despite legal protections, bonobos are hunted for their meat, which is believed to impart strength to those who consume it. The sanctuary rescues these apes, often found in homes or captured by poachers, and provides them with care and affection. Bonobos, who share nearly 99% of their DNA with humans, are raised by foster mothers at the sanctuary until they can join groups open to visitors. The population of bonobos has drastically declined from 100,000 in the 1980s to about 20,000 today. Efforts to protect them include educating locals and proposing “bonobo credits” to encourage forest preservation.
QUESTION: How might the decline of bonobos impact the ecosystems they inhabit and the communities that live nearby?
A rare sanctuary in Congo looks after baby bonobos away from poaching threat
