The bonobos' fight for survival

Bonobos in the Democratic Republic of Congo are on the cusp of extinction. 40 years ago they numbered around 100,000. Today, only around 20,000 individuals remain. Humans are the biggest threat to their survival. Young apes are caught and sold as pets, while bonobo meat is sold for high prices in markets. They are also losing their habitat due to the clearing of forests.

All of world's remaining bonobos live in DR Congo — specifically in the Congo Basin, a huge area almost three times the size of France. The region is bordered by several rivers, including the Congo. Because bonobos can't swim, they have never left the basin.

Up to 98% of the bonobos' DNA is identical to that of humans. Bonobos are more closely related to us than to gorillas and even chimpanzees. Unsurprisingly, there are many similarities between bonobos and humans. But there are some significant differences, too. For example, bonobos can suffer from diseases like HIV/AIDS. But they are immune to malaria.

The bonobos' unspoken motto is "make love, not war." Whenever possible, the species avoids any kind of fight. If ever a situation with conflict potential arises, bonobos seek social reassurance by embracing and sharing instead of fighting — often through sex or sexual contact. Bonobo society is also dominated by females, which contributes to a more peaceful environment.

The world's only protected area for orphaned bonobos is called "Lola ya Bonobo," which translates to "Bonobo Paradise." It is located south of the Kimwenza community on the Petites Chutes de la Lukaya waterfalls near Kinshasa. It was founded in 1994 by Belgian conservationist Claudine Andre to provide care to bonobos orphaned by illegal trafficking before reintroducing them into the wild.

Psychological care is just as crucial as physical treatment. Newly-arrived bonobos are often traumatized by the loss of their mothers. More than one orphan has passed away due to stress. To avoid this, infant bonobos are handed over to a surrogate human mother, who gives them love and reassurance. Infants require this kind of intensive care until they are around four years old.

The natural reserve in Equateur Province is twice the size of Manhattan, comprising 20,000 hectares of primary forest. It is known locally as "Ekolo ya Bonobo", which means 'the land of the bonobos.'

Over 60 bonobos live on the 75 hectares of primary tropical forest where the Lola ya Bonobo sanctuary is based. Here, rescued bonobos are reared and cared for if they are sick. They are then prepared for a life of freedom in a reserve together with other bonobos. Lola ya Bonobo has released two groups of orphans back into the wild since 2009.

Over 30,000 people visit the sanctuary every year. Most of the visitors are Congolese school children. They are the future decision makers. If anyone can save bonobos, it will be them. The guardians of the bonobos are the local people, the Ilonga Po.