Bonobo Conservation Initiative

To help preserve rainforests, the BCI established and supported a number of conservation concessions and nature reserves in many areas around the country. In order to protect bonobos, they have: trained and equipped teams of local trackers who monitor bonobos in 10 identified sites, initiated a bonobo rescue programme, and established a bonobo protection unit. To empower communities, BCI has initiated the African Community Enterprise (ACE) project to support the livelihood and humanitarian interests and needs of local communities. They have also established the Djolu Technical College and Bonobo Clinics to address the health and medical needs of local communities.

Local communities play an important role in participating in and supporting the above activities. The project therefore also includes education and awareness-raising activities which draw on traditional knowledge and popular culture - specifically, music.

According to the organisation, a hybrid of local and imported concepts and practices is less likely to be ignored or resisted than the narrower and didactic approach of instructing local populations without first taking into account what they might know or be able to contribute to species conservation. BCI therefore incorporates traditional knowledge into their training and capacity building. They collect bonobo songs and stories from villagers and are currently developing programmes to support and promote the dissemination of traditional wisdom. They have also done research into how belief systems and attitudes impact on zoning for bonobo protection.

BCI has also collaborated with popular Congolese musician Werrason to produce radio spots, television appearances, and music promoting bonobo conservation. According to the organisers, Werrason is very influential among Congolese people from all walks of life. He has recorded specific messages for 6 different communities living in bonobo habitats, encouraging them to protect the animals. According to Michael Hurley, Executive Director of the Bonobo Conservation Initiative, "there is no comparable personality in the United States. It is like having Elvis, Oprah and Princess Di rolled into one. People will listen, pay attention, remember, and truly want to follow his advice. He will reach multiple millions of people, and those people will tell others. This message can reach more people and have greater impact than hundreds of thousands of printed pamphlets."

Environment, Natural Resource Management, Conservation.

BCI explains that bonobos look more like humans than other apes and display many behavioural similarities. Bonobos and people share 98.4% of the same genetic make-up (DNA).

BCI is a non-profit organisation based in Washington, D.C., United States (US) and the DRC. The Initiative is working to conduct bonobo surveys, establish protected areas, build capacity of Congolese partners and indigenous communities, and increase global awareness about bonobos.