Save Endangered Bonobos in the Congo Rainforest

BCI President Sally Coxe and Executive Director Michael Hurley are currently spending several weeks in the field in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  As they travel from site to site, they are inspired daily by the dedication of the trackers and eco-guards who protect the bonobos, as well as the commitment of contributors who make it all possible. Here are some highlights of their itinerary:

Likongo--Sally and Michael recently visited Likongo, a site created by local Congolese residents who were inspired by our Kokolopori Bonobo Reserve.  Jean Gaston Ndombasi, leader of local NGO Debut Likongo, has been instrumental in organizing eco-guard and tracker efforts in Likongo.  Thanks to his leadership, eighteen Likongo residents are monitoring three bonobo groups. We are very grateful to them, not only because of their excellent work, but also because they have been working for the past two years on a completely volunteer basis.

Mbandaka –BCI is delighted to announce the expansion of conservation efforts in the Bonobo Peace Forest. Sally and Michael will co-lead a meeting with provincial authorities to kick off the new Bonobo Conservation Concession project in cooperation with Conservation International. The project is funded by the Congo Basin Forest Fund / African Development Bank and is the first pilot conservation concession in the DRC, converting unexploited logging concessions to conservation.

Sankuru--At the end of March, BCI will host a historic meeting of more than 100 customary chiefs and notables representing communities involved with our project. BCI is deeply committed to fostering communication and community involvement in conservation, and we believe that this meeting will be a great step forward in our mission to save endangered bonobos.

Bonobos still stand at the brink of extinction, but—by working together—we are making real progress in the fight for their survival. We need your continued support to train and equip the people who are the bonobos’ first line of defense-- the brave and dedicated eco-guards in Likongo, Sankuru, the conservation concessions, and throughout the bonobo range.

Please check our next report for amazing photos from Sally and Michael’s travels!