Bonobo (Pan paniscus)

Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 14258950

Bonobo Conservation at Lilungu

Bonobos are classified as Endangered by IUCN, with current population estimates ranging from 15,000 to 20,000 individuals remaining in the wild. They inhabit a mosaic of primary, secondary, and seasonally inundated swamp forests, in the central Congo Basin. Bonobos and their rainforest habitat are under threat from bushmeat hunting, industrial logging and agriculture, and a growing human population. Bonobos serve as a powerful flagship for protecting this region, which is important for carbon sequestration, water cycling, and its outstanding biodiversity.

Our project site at Lilungu comprises some of the best bonobo habitat and plays a significant role in the survival of the species. Situated on the Tshuapa River between protected areas containing important populations of bonobos: Kokolopori Bonobo Reserve and Luo Scientific Reserve (Wamba) to the north and the Sankuru Nature Reserve to the south, Lilungu is a critical anchor in the large corridor of community-managed protection we aim to create . The forest to the north and south of the core Lilungu site has low human population density and verified bonobo presence, significantly facilitating its viability as a corridor for conservation. Lilungu is also one of few sites where bonobos are fully habituated to humans and can be observed daily. Additionally, the presence of elephants, bongos, Congo peacock, and 11 other primate species also contributes to the importance of this site.

The objectives of this project are to:
1. Establish legal protection of the 1,750 square km Lilungu forest.
2. Maintain and strengthen bonobo monitoring and protection of three main bonobo groups (approximately 60 individuals).
3. Build capacity of the lead community-based association for conservation at Lilungu, Association for the Protection of the Bonobos of Lilungu (APBL).

The funds provided by the Mohamed bin Zayed Endangered Species Fund will provide critical financial support for this project.