Bonobos -- Both Lovers and Hunters?

LUIKOTALE, DRC--Long regarded as the 'peace lovers' of the world's great apes, bonobos are known for their female-dominated societies and frequent sexual interactions with different partners.

However, a new study published in Current Biology suggests that the bonobo may in fact have more in common with the common chimpanzee--known as the more aggressive ape--than previously thought.

While the researchers had previously found monkey remains in bonobo fecal samples, it was not clear whether the meat was scavenged or taken from another predator. But according to the newly released study, bonobos in fact go on organized hunts, preying on small primates. Both sexes joined the hunts; females, however, led the expeditions and took a greater share of the prize.

The study presents the first direct evidence of hunting by bonobos, sparking questions about the role of such hunts and aggression in the female-dominated society.

One of man's closest relative, sharing 98.4 percent of our genetic makeup, the bonobo is found only in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), between the Congo River, the Lomami River, the Kasai/Sankuru Rivers, and the Lake Tumba/Lac Ndombe region. In this historically unstable area, threats to the great ape include loss of habitat from human encroachment and logging, and poaching fueled by the world's thriving bushmeat trade.

African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is gathering scientific data about bonobos and designing community-led conservation strategies. After a 15-year effort, working with the government of the DRC and other partners, AWF helped to establish the Faunal Reserve of Lomako-Yokokala -- a forested area known as one of the last remaining homes to the bonobo. Today, AWF is building a scientific research center and camp that will provide researchers a place to further study the great ape. In addition, the research center will provide a place to help train and educate Congolese conservationists, ultimately leading to improved conservation measures.

To read more about AWF's work to conserve the bonobo, click here.

To learn more about the recent study of bonobo behavior, click here.