Conservation - Lomako Forest Bonobo Project - Update from the Congo:

	In the summer of 2005, Frances White was able to return to her Lomako Forest study site in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where she has been studying the social behavior of bonobos since 1983. With the outbreak of the Congo civil war in 1998, all field research on this rare and unusual ape species has to be halted and all researchers and students evacuated. The bonobo is also called the pygmy chimpanzee and is known for its striking social differences to the chimpanzee. Unlike their male-dominated close relatives the chimpanzees, female bonobos form complex alliances and coalitions that enable them to have considerable power in their social groups. The bonds among females and between males are maintained with frequent sexual behavior and results in less violent behavior than is often seen in chimpanzees. Frances traveled back to her study site with a film crew from the BBC as they made a documentary on the bonobo and Frances’ return to her site. This film is called “Bonobos: Missing in Action” was released in Britain on March 8, 2006 and will be shown at the University of Oregon at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History this Spring term. The BBC were able to film the good news at the site that the bonobos had survived, although continued to be under threat, especially from the bush meat trade and illegal logging operations. Frances received an emotional welcome from Ikwa Nyamaolo Bosco and the families and traditional chief she has always worked with and who have continue to try to protect the area from poachers and were willing to negotiate continued arrangements for continued research at this site.
	Cameraman Graham MacFarlane filming along the Maringa River as the team heads into the Lomako Forest. The road system is impassable for 4-wheel traffic with the loss of bridges and ferry’s (one of which is sunk at the edge of the Maringa) although motorbikes can still get through. The river remains the best route to travel.
	At N’dele, Lomako Forest: From left to right: Steve Greenwood (BBC), Valentin W’Otoko (African Wildlife Foundation), Bila-Isia Inogwabini (World Wildlife Fund), Chef du Groupement LOMA, Frances White, (University of Oregon), Lou Ferguson (BBC). Photo by Graham MacFarlane (cameraman)

Conservation efforts:

Funds are urgently needed to pay the salaries of local trackers and guides so that they can stay at the site and protect the bonobos from poachers and bushmeat hunters. Salaries for an experienced trackers are $3 per day and 10 trackers are needed.

To make a donation to the Lomako Forest Bonobo Project:

Please go to the University of Oregon gift website at: https://supportuo.uofoundation.org/

Under Donation & Designation, choose College of Arts and Sciences

Under Additional Comments, enter “Anthropology – Frances White Research”

Enter the amount you wish to donate, and proceed with the directions that appear under the remainder of the screens.

Thank you for your support –funds help support the local trackers and guides who are the people on the frontline of bonobo conservation in Congo!

Tikálá malámu! Stay well (in Lingala)