A sanctuary on the forested outskirts of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, provides care for orphaned bonobos and is described as the world’s only such sanctuary. The facility takes in young bonobos that are either rescued from poaching operations or found trapped in local homes where they are raised for meat. Despite legal protections for bonobos, the species remains targeted for bushmeat, and rescuers and sanctuary staff say the threats continue. One of the caretakers, Micheline Nzonzi, is reported to be nursing an orphaned bonobo as part of an effort that can last for roughly three years. The sanctuary also runs education activities aimed at reducing demand for bonobo bushmeat and changing local attitudes toward the animals. Bonobos are endangered, and sources cited in the reports note a sharp decline in population—from around 100,000 in the 1980s to about 20,000 today. The sanctuary’s work focuses both on immediate rehabilitation and on longer-term prevention through public education.
DR Congo sanctuary cares for orphaned baby bonobos rescued from poaching
A sanctuary on the forested outskirts of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, provides care for orphaned bonobos and is described as the world’s only such sanctuary. The facility takes in young bon...
- A sanctuary on the outskirts of Kinshasa cares for orphaned baby bonobos.
- It is described as the world’s only sanctuary for orphaned bonobos.
- Bonobos arrive after being rescued from poachers or found trapped in local homes raised for meat.
- Sanctuary staff also conduct education efforts to discourage bushmeat hunting.
- Sources say bonobos are endangered, with numbers falling from about 100,000 in the 1980s to around 20,000 today.
A rare sanctuary in Congo looks after baby bonobos away from the poaching threat. This primate nursery on the forested outskirts of the Congolese capital of Kinshasa is the world’s only sanctuary for orphaned bonobos, usually rescued from poachers or found trapped in the homes of locals who raise them for their meat. Story by Laurent Berstecher.
3 months agoA sanctuary on the outskirts of Congo's capital of Kinshasa is the world’s only sanctuary for orphaned bonobos, usually rescued from poachers. Despite legal protections, bonobos are targeted for bushmeat. Educators at the sanctuary work to change this. Bonobos share nearly 99 per cent of their DNA with humans and are endangered, with numbers dropping from 100,000 in the 1980s to about 20,000 today.
3 months agoA sanctuary on the outskirts of Congo's capital of Kinshasa is the world’s only sanctuary for orphaned bonobos, usually rescued from poachers
3 months agoMicheline Nzonzi cradled a small and sleepy bonobo, an orphan whose life she will try to save over the next three years or so.
3 months agoA sanctuary on the outskirts of Congo's capital of Kinshasa is the world’s only sanctuary for orphaned bonobos, usually rescued from poachers
3 months ago
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