Hello again and happy one week of fall! Fall here at UP is already looking so pretty and I am so excited for when all the trees are full of different colors. I have already had about 10 pumpkin spice lattes and I think I will just never get sick of them!

I also just figured out I can change colors, so that's pretty cool!

But moving on, this weeks endangered species is one I have never heard of (although I feel like I should’ve), so maybe this species will be a new one for you too to get to know!

Endangered Species of the Week: The Bonobo

(Pan paniscus)

STATUS: Endangered

POPULATION: 10,000 to 50,000

HEIGHT: 28 to 35 inches

WEIGHT: 68 to 86 pounds

The Bonobos are about two-thirds the size of humans and are covered with dark hair. They are distinguished by their black faces, red lips, two or three webbed toes, a tail tuft, and parted long hair. Unlike their closest cousins, the common chimpanzees, they are not divided into subspecies.

Wild bonobos can only be found in forests south of the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

What is threatening them?

POACHING

Humans hunt bonobos to eat them, trade them as bushmeat, keep them as pets and for use in traditional medicine. Specific bonobo body parts are believed to enhance sexual vigor or strength. The number of bonobos lost to poaching each year is not known, but the number of bonobo charms available in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo suggests that poaching may be common.

HABITAT LOSS

Only part of the bonobo’s range lies in protected areas. A growing and moving human population, combined with slash-and-burn agriculture and commercial logging, leaves bonobos outside parks at risk of losing their homes.

CIVIL WARFARE

Civil unrest in the region around the bonobo’s home territory has led to many bonobo deaths, as gangs of poachers have been free to invade Salonga National Park, one of few protected areas for bonobos. In addition, unrest has made modern weaponry and ammunition more available, enabling hunting, and the military has at times sanctioned the hunting and killing of bonobos.

Why is it so important to save them?

Bonobos share 98.7% of their genetic code with humans (woah!), making them, along with chimpanzees, our closest living relatives. As the last great ape to be scientifically discovered, much still remains unknown about the bonobo.

Also, they play an important role as seed dispersers, which is critical for forest regeneration.

What is being done?

MONITORING POPULATIONS

The ICCN and non-governmental organizations are conducting surveys of bonobo populations. After the first survey of Salonga National Park found fewer bonobos than expected and greater amounts of human disturbance, additional efforts were made to monitor and protect these animals.

PROTECTING HABITAT

A survey of large mammals in the DRC’s Lac Télé-Lac Tumba Landscape revealed a previously unknown population of bonobos, a population that has the highest density and largest group size of the animals anywhere in their range. After this discovery the Lac Tumba-Lediima Nature Reserve was established, which will help to protect this dwindling species.

SUPPORTING LAW ENFORCEMENT

To combat the rampant problem of poaching, antipoaching units in Salonga National Park are being provided with training, improved transportation, and communication and other field equipment. The Congolese Wildlife Authority (ICCN) to helping to establish sustainable funding for antipoaching activities in the park.

Fun Facts

Bonobos have not traditionally been acknowledged for their use of tools, but they have been noted to self-medicate by leaf swallowing during the peak occurrence of intestinal parasites.
Females do not produce their first infant before 13–15 years old.
Bonobos are highly social animals, living in large communities of up to 120 individuals.
Fruits constitute the bulk of the bonobo’s diet but seeds, leaves, flowers and invertebrates are also eaten.
Bonobos whimper when they fail, just like humans.
They walk on their feet and their knuckles.