Save Endangered Bonobos in the Congo Rainforest

Participatory mapping is underway in Lingomo, Nkokolombo, and Likongo! Obtaining accurate maps is a critical step on the road to achieving official protection. 

Inspired by the Kokolopori Bonobo Reserve, local leaders in these sites formed their own NGOs and have been diligently taking steps to protect their own forests using the Bonobo Peace Forest model. Cosmas in Lingomo (Conservation of the Resources of Lingomo), Roger in Nkokolombo (Association for Conservation of Bonobos in the Source of Lomako), and Jean Gaston in Likongo (Début Likongo for Conservation and Development) work together with such tireless dedication that they are called the Three Musketeers!

The three forests of Lingomo, Nkokolombo, and Likongo are actually part of one continuous forest, known as LiLiKo for short. The BCI motto for the region is “mboka misato, zamba moko,” which means “three communities, one forest.” LiLiKo spans approximately 700,000 acres and includes large tracts of intact primary forest. It harbors incredible biodiversity, including bonobos, giant ground pangolins, and Wolf’s monkeys. Protecting this forest is a boon to these species and to all of us who rely on the Congo rainforest for clean air, carbon sequestration, and more.

Mapping LiLiKo forest is important for practical reasons like understanding the terrain, zoning, and organizing monitoring teams, and it’s essential for gaining official protection status. It has often been the case that conservation maps have been drawn by outsiders without sufficient input from communities, meaning that the maps do not align with the real-world use of the land. Participatory mapping means that local people take the lead in determining the boundaries of their own forest. It is a labor-intensive process, but it is a worthwhile effort to ensure that community voices are represented and customary land rights are respected. 

The mapping process begins with our team members walking the approximate boundary of the forest. Along the way, they verify the traditional borders with villagers from neighboring communities. Often, boundaries are demarcated by significant natural features like trees, large rocks, or streams. Waypoints are determined with handheld GPS units. Then, our team members assemble the information and take it to a mapping agency in Kisangani where the maps are produced and printed.

A large portion of the participatory mapping has been completed–and in the process, additional groupements (village groupings) have expressed their interest in being included as well! This means that the LiLiKo forest block may be larger than we had anticipated. We urgently need to keep the teams going so that they can move forward in securing official protection of their forests. 

Please support Cosmas, Roger, Jean Gaston, and their teams as they complete the LiLiKo mapping! They need equipment such as sturdy boots, ponchos, machetes, headlamps, and batteries in order to continue this vital effort. Thank you for all you do to make our work possible!

We are thrilled to announce that The Nature Conservancy is partnering with BCI to help preserve a critical region within the bonobo habitat. With The Nature Conservancy’s generous support, we are taking major steps toward establishing official protection for the Lilungu forest and preparing for long-term, sustainable financing through REDD+, in cooperation with local communities. 

Lilungu is a haven of bonobo protection. The local Balanga people have strong taboos against hunting bonobos, as well as deep knowledge about the bonobos and their habitat. BCI has worked in Lilungu since 2005, supporting monitoring teams and collaborating with Lilungu residents to address community needs.

Lilungu links a vital habitat corridor between Sankuru Nature Reserve and Lomami National Park to the south and Kokolopori Bonobo Reserve (and other protected areas) to the north. Habitat corridors are hugely important to conservation because they enable bonobos and other wildlife to range freely, promoting genetic diversity and allowing animals access to necessary resources. 

What’s new in Lilungu?

BCI recently sent a team to Lilungu to collaborate with representatives from our local NGO partner APBL (Association pour la Protection de Bonobo de Lilungu) and lay the groundwork for the next phase of work. The team was led by Dr. Norbert Mbangi Mulavwa, the scientific director of CREF(Centre de Recherche en Écologie et Foresterie). Mbangi has a long association with Lilingu. He has been instrumental in the development of the site since BCI began operations there, leading multiple trainings for the local monitoring teams. 

This summer, after an arduous journey on nearly impassable roads, Mbangi and his fellow team members arrived in Lilungu and engaged in information exchange with APBL and the local teams. The Lilungu teams provided up-to-date reports on the bonobos and APBL’s conservation efforts. After introducing the goals of the current project, Mbangi provided additional training for the trackers. He also assessed the capacity and the material needs of the APBL in order to help them prepare for the next phase of the project. Mbangi had the chance to observe the Iyende bonobo group himself. Thanks to the consistent work of the trackers, the bonobos are so habituated to human presence that one of the bonobos remained relaxed in a sleeping nest for the whole ninety minutes that the team was present. Habituation also brings some challenges—several farmers have reported that bonobos are helping themselves to bananas and other crops! As we move forward, we will continue to find ways for humans and bonobos to live in harmony. The community is excited about scaling up protection of their forest—and so are we!

What’s next for Lilungu?

Participatory mapping with local communities will soon be underway, a very important step in securing designation as a protected area. We’re preparing to conduct updated biological surveys to determine the presence and distribution of the vast variety of species within the Lilungu forest. We will also be reassessing threats to the forest and its wildlife so that we can determine the most effective ways to protect it.  

Protecting the Lilungu forest is a longstanding goal, and you can make a difference today! While the support from TNC is a huge boost, we need matching funds in order to help the Lilungu communities safeguard bonobos and their vital habitat. Together, we can make this dream a reality!

Thank you so much for your support.