Friends of Bonobos

Happy International Day of Forests! The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) announced the creation of the world's largest protected tropical forest reserve—the Dog Green Corridor Kivu-Kinshasa! ?? Covering 550,000 km2, this biodiversity corridor safeguards 285,000 km2 of primary forest and 60,000 km2 of intact peat bogs—critical for carbon storage and climate stability. Right in the heart of this corridor is the Ekolo ya Bonobo Community Reserve, home to rewilded bonobos and a key part of this ambitious conservation effort. Beyond protecting the Congo Basin—the world’s largest tropical forest carbon sink—this initiative aims to boost economic growth, reduce violence, and connect communities across the DRC. #Congorainforest #climatechange #conservation #greencorridor

Celebrating the women of Lola! #InternationalWomensMonth Mama Gladys began working at Lola in 2020 to help with a huge influx of orphans during the pandemic. During a visit to the sanctuary, Mama Gladys became passionate about the work of surrogate mothers and was quickly able to join the team. Little Ikela was the first bonobo orphan she cared for. “Whenever we care for them, we feel really happy, because they’re orphans… to give them love and fondness. It’s the exciting part of this job.” Important note: Bonobos are not pets! Our sanctuary in Congo is the only one in the world for bonobos rescued from the illegal trade in endangered wildlife. Rescued babies are isolated in quarantine when they arrive to ensure they will not pass along any illness. Each baby has a trained, surrogate mother to provide love and care, and is closely monitored by a veterinarian. When the babies are ready, they join the other bonobos in a semi-wild environment at our sanctuary. With luck, and with help from you and other supporters around the world, we aim to release many of them back to the wild.

Celebrating the women of Lola! #InternationalWomensMonth Mama C’Arrive joined Lola ya Bonobo in 2013 and has taken care of dozens of orphans rescued from poachers and the illegal wildlife trade. “The job we’re doing is the pride of our country,” says C’Arrive, “for all of us as mothers, it’s a real pleasure to work here.” Important note: Bonobos are not pets! Our sanctuary in Congo is the only one in the world for bonobos rescued from the illegal trade in endangered wildlife. Rescued babies are isolated in quarantine when they arrive to ensure they will not pass along any illness. Each baby has a trained, surrogate mother to provide love and care, and is closely monitored by a veterinarian. When the babies are ready, they join the other bonobos in a semi-wild environment at our sanctuary. With luck, and with help from you and other supporters around the world, we aim to release many of them back to the wild.

Celebrating the women of Lola! #InternationalWomensMonth Mama Peguy has raised many orphan bonobos at Lola, ensuring they transition perfectly and recover from their heartbreaking past. She has been a wonderful mama to many bonobos including Owila (photoed) and Lombo. Important note: Bonobos are not pets! Our sanctuary in Congo is the only one in the world for bonobos rescued from the illegal trade in endangered wildlife. Rescued babies are isolated in quarantine when they arrive to ensure they will not pass along any illness. Each baby has a trained, surrogate mother to provide love and care, and is closely monitored by a veterinarian. When the babies are ready, they join the other bonobos in a semi-wild environment at our sanctuary. With luck, and with help from you and other supporters around the world, we aim to release many of them back to the wild.

Celebrating the women of Lola! #InternationalWomensMonth Mama Micheline has been working with the orphaned bonobos at Lola for many years. Her experience makes her a great example for the other surrogate mothers. Everyday she helps the bonobos of the nursery become prepared for being released from the nursery and hopefully back to the wild one day. Important Note: Bonobos are NOT PETS. Bonobos you see on our page are with trained caretakers who are essential for their survival after being rescued from the horrific illegal wildlife trade. One day, we are hopeful they will return to the wild.

Congo's war isn’t just killing people—it’s tearing down forests, silencing activists, and fueling an illicit trade worth millions. The resurgence of the M23 rebel group in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) ???? has triggered a humanitarian crisis, with millions displaced and thousands killed. Yet another casualty has received less attention: the environment. The conflict is exacerbating deforestation, undermining conservation efforts, and fueling the illicit exploitation of natural resources. The Albertine Rift, home to endangered eastern lowland and mountain gorillas, is under severe pressure. Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega National Parks—both UNESCO World Heritage Sites—have become battlegrounds. Since late 2021, M23 has taken control of towns surrounding Virunga, including Rutshuru, Rwindi, and Masisi, while in February 2025, it pushed into Kahuzi-Biega, seizing areas adjacent to the park’s highland sector. ?? Deforestation in Virunga has accelerated: In 2023, 1,222 hectares of tree cover were lost in a charcoal production zone, more than double the annual average of 571 hectares from 2019-2022. ?? Kahuzi-Biega’s forests are following suit: The same year, deforestation in its charcoal production zone surged to 1,171 hectares , up from 521 hectares annually over the previous four years. ?? Charcoal demand is a key driver: With 800,000 displaced people arriving in Goma, the price of charcoal has spiked, shifting supply chains from Virunga to Kahuzi-Biega. Armed groups have long profited from the region’s natural wealth. The Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) previously controlled much of Virunga’s charcoal trade but M23’s territorial gains have disrupted this balance. The group now levies taxes on charcoal and timber transport. In Kahuzi-Biega, illegal logging is surging, facilitated by newly constructed ports on Lake Kivu. While M23 touts itself as a pro-conservation force, its environmental record is contradictory. It has banned charcoal production in some areas while profiting from the timber trade elsewhere. Meanwhile, park rangers struggle to operate: since 1996, over 200 have been killed. Caught in the crossfire are Indigenous groups such as the Batwa, forcibly displaced by the conflict and unable to access their forests for sustenance. Activists attempting to expose illicit extraction have been silenced, some fleeing, others disappearing. The future of DRC’s forests—and those who depend on them—hangs in the balance. THE WAR ?? NGOs flee (Elodie Toto): https://mongabay.cc/C8aqxx ?? The environmental toll (Fergus O’Leary Simpson, Joel Masselink, Lara Collart): https://mongabay.cc/3p5AcP ?? Toll on Indigenous people (Aimable TWAHIRWA): https://mongabay.cc/c5QGnY ?? Key factors (John Cannon): https://mongabay.cc/ZMwBNz

Celebrating the women of Lola! #InternationalWomensMonth Meet Suzy Kwetuenda As Coordinator of Bonobo Wellness and Sanctuary Hospitality at Lola ya Bonobo, Suzy Kwetuenda wears many hats. She manages all aspects of bonobo life, from nutrition to intergroup social conflict. In addition, with more than 10 years of experience at Lola, she is also an integral part of the team that welcomes students, school groups, researchers and other sanctuary visitors and helps them learn about bonobos. “I fell in love with bonobos…It is a good opportunity to work hard for conservation and I love it! Working with bonobos is different from working with any other animal,” she says. “You feel like you are working with your family." Important Note: Bonobos are NOT PETS. Bonobos you see on our page are with trained caretakers who are essential for their survival after being rescued from the horrific illegal wildlife trade. One day, we are hopeful they will return to the wild. #WomenInConservation

Fanny Minesi, ABC director, has dedicated her life to rescuing and rehabilitating endangered bonobos, our closest living relatives. Fanny's journey, deeply influenced by her mother Claudine André's pioneering work, shows the power of passion and perseverance in making a difference. Join us in honoring Fanny Minesi and all the incredible women leading the charge in conservation! Their dedication ensures a brighter future for our planet and its inhabitants. Read/listen to Fanny's interview on Alain Elkann Interviews as she talks about her work!: https://lnkd.in/dr9yCjAH #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2025 #WomenInConservation

Happy International Women’s Day! Today we honor Fanny Minesi, a trailblazer in conservation and the fearless leader of Friends of Bonobos of the Congo (ABC). As the director of ABC, Fanny oversees 150 dedicated staff of Lola ya Bonobo, the world’s only bonobo sanctuary, and Ekolo ya Bonobo, a 120,000-acre community reserve. Her dedication to protecting bonobos and their rainforest home has made a lasting impact—not just on wildlife, but also on the neighboring communities. In 2023, Fanny was awarded the prestigious Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa, recognizing her passion and perseverance in saving this endangered species. We celebrate her leadership, resilience, and the difference she’s making for bonobos and the planet! ?? #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2025 #WomenInConservation

Celebrating the women of Lola! #InternationalWomensMonth Mama Yvonne is the most experienced surrogate at Lola ya Bonobo. She joined the ABC team 20 years ago and is now the Director of the Nursery. She is the first person to welcome all new orphan arrivals. When baby bonobos arrive at Lola, they are often weak and frightened, and what they need most desperately is the psychological care of a mother. Mama Yvonne is an expert at providing this care, and giving rescued orphans their best shot at recovery by making them feel safe and loved. Mama Yvonne is well known at Lola as the ultimate matriarch of the nursery, for giving the best hugs around, and keeping the “mischievous” children in line. We are incredibly grateful for Mama Yvonne’s dedication to the orphans at Lola and her courageous service at Lola ya Bonobo for the past twenty years. The nursery wouldn’t be the same without her! Important Note: Bonobos are NOT PETS. Bonobos you see on our page are with trained caretakers who are essential for their survival after being rescued from the horrific illegal wildlife trade. One day, we are hopeful they will return to the wild. #InternationalWomensDay #WomenInConservation