The world's first bonobo release
On June 14 2009, for the first time, a group of orphan bonobos were returned to the wild. The release was conducted by Congolese organization Les Amis des Bonobos du Congo (Friends of Bonobos in Congo, ABC) which is supported by Friends of Bonobos, USA.
Claudine Andre, the President of ABC says;
‘The release of bonobos back into the wild is the pinnacle of all we have accomplished. For the last 15 years, we have worked tirelessly on education and conservation – this is the most important step of all.’
Release is an important part of the conservation process, as the reintroduction of wild born orphans rehabilitated and cared for at Lola ya bonobo sanctuary will hopefully replenish the bonobo populations in forest areas of the DRC from where they have disappeared.
Professor Richard Wrangham of Harvard University and Dr. Brian Hare’s research group at Duke University accompanied the bonobos’ post-release monitoring.
‘We are thrilled to be involved in this project because of its importance for bonobo conservation,’ says Dr. Hare. ‘We hope this release will give bonobos a brighter future.’
‘This exciting event reminds us of the importance of every individual bonobo, and is a critical step on the path towards raising awareness of the plight of bonobos and the opportunities to help them,’ says Professor Wrangham.
Bonobo guardians
The Illonga Pô settled in the area over a hundred years ago. Ilonga was a man from Lisala, a town 200 miles to the north east. He was travelling with his sons in search of food and provisions. Most likely they had come down river to fish, but judging from their distance from home, they weren’t having much luck.
Tired from the journey, they camped next to a rotten tree trunk. They stayed longer than they expected. In fact, they stayed so long, that locals passing by started to call the stranger Pô, which means rotten tree trunk in the local language.
Ilonga Pô, as he became known, never left. There were a couple of skirmishes with the local Mongo tribe, but the Pô kicked them out and have lived there ever since. Mainly fishermen, the Pô no longer rely on hunting for their diet. The forest is perfect bonobo
habitat but no one has seen one for over 20 years.
photo credits: Christine D'Hauthuille
'Bonobos will save us'
On an abandoned building near the market, someone has written 'We protect bonobos and bonobos will save us'.
Bonobos have brought hope to a people who have suffered greatly, both from poverty and the wars which have killed 5.4 million people in the last decade. Along with the potential for tourism, bonobos have brought the following benefits to the local population:
Materials for five primary schools and two secondary schools, totaling over 1,000 students. The schools have not had new material (text books, etc) since the 1980s and the school atlas was from 1965. ABC has supplied blackboards, writing books, and updated text books for every classroom.
Women’s health clinic. Previously, there was no birthing centre, and women give birth on dirt floors. ABC will soon provide mattresses, sheets, basins, and other equipment to provide a sanitary environment.
Village pharmacy. ABC has privided a start up stock of essential medicines that can be purchased at cost prices.
Soccer team. The Soccer team has never had a sponsor before , but now they are the ‘Bonobos of Basankusu’. In 2009, they won the provincial championship.