The Bonobos
Since my arrival in Congo, I've been hearing about the bonobos, a type of monkey that lives in a sanctuary in Lukaya, just outside of Kinshasa. Last Friday, I was able to go with a couple of Marines, and Barbara Conaty, the Director of American Corners in Africa.
You can see that the bonobos are the closest animals genetically to man in the way they respond to each other and to people. They tease and play and are very social. Until just a few years ago, their species was diminishing due to the slaughtering of them for food, the upsetting nature of war on their habitat, the introduction of forestry in their habitat, and their slow reproductive cycles. Several individuals have organized to save the bonobos in Congo and are working very hard to preserve this unique breed of monkey.
I'm scheduled to see them again this coming Friday when daughter Grace and her husband Jon will be able to go with me. I can't believe I'll be with them at this time tomorrow. Don't worry. I'll take lots of photos!
posted by MeJane @ 3:24 PM
3 Comments
3 Comments:
Dear Jane,
What great experiences you continue to have! We are thankful with you that Grace and Jon can come to visit and to travel with you during the next few days. ENJOY!! What beautiful scenery you are experiencing and tasting the different wines must have been a real treat. We are looking forward to hearing more from you and to eventually read that book we expect you to write. Just kidding! Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers for Don and I. We are leaing on God's healing power and continue to palce our lives in His hands. We miss you at our Tuesday AM prayer group. Dottie and Don are traveling in South Africa, so it was just Shirley and I this week. Staying in touch and sending our love and blessings, Barb and Don
I think I saw a show about this "Ape World" or something on Animal Planet. The monkeys were fascinating. They looked very human and it was a bit creepy actually. It may have been these very monkeys because there was a fence around them... Is the enclave quite large?
Take care, mom. Love,
David
Hi! Just responding to your bonobo comments. I heard that Time was doing a special on the bonobos here in Kinshasa. Have you seen it? I think it came out 4/21/08. I don't know if Claudine Andre was cited as being the originator of the sanctuary here, but she was actually there and I HAD MY PICTURE TAKEN WITH HER while Grace and Jon were visiting. Pretty cool. Love--MeJane
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