Endangered Great Ape Finds Safe Haven(rative matriarchal society their remarka...),Health

Date:5/26/2009

rative, matriarchal society, their remarkable intelligence and their sexual nature. Apart from humans, bonobos are the only primates known to have sex not just for procreation, but also for pleasure and conflict resolution, with members of either sex. These uncommon apes serve as a powerful flagship species, both for conservation and for peace.

The Kokolopori Bonobo Reserve is vital to research on and protection of bonobos, as it is one of the only sites where wild bonobos are habituated to human presence and can be viewed and studied on a daily basis. Albert Lotana Lokasola, president of the local NGO Vie Sauvage and the initiator of the project, says, "Since the time of our ancestors, our people, the Bongando, have traditionally protected and respected bonobos through taboos, legends and rituals celebrating bonobos as our closest relative and friend. The bonobo saved our ancestors from numerous dangers in the forest. We build on these traditions... We hope that many people will come and visit Kokolopori to enjoy and work with us to strengthen the reserve."

"What is truly exceptional is how the Kokolopori Bonobo Reserve has inspired other communities in the bonobo habitat who have voluntarily initiated their own projects to protect their forest and bonobos," says Coxe of BCI. "Beyond that, Kokolopori inspired the residents of Falls Church, Virginia to create the first sister city partnership between the USA and the DRC. This shows how a common vision and positive action can motivate many people and create a grand result."

The project has been largely supported by the Global Conservation Fund and the Central Africa Program of Conservation International, which provide both financial and technical support, and other donors, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Great Ape Conservation Fund. Through the Kokolopori-Falls Church Sister City Partnership, the citizens of Falls Church, Virginia have contributed es
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SOURCE Bonobo Conservation Initiative Copyright©2009 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

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