The Present Situations of Bonobos at Wamba, Zaire

Abstract

Bonobos in the Wamba forest were intermittently studied by 22 researchers (16 Japanese among them) during a period of 18 years between 1984 and 1991. At least 6 unit groups consisting of two to three hundred bonobos inhabit this forest.In 1976, artificial provisioning was adopted at Wamba. Now, three groups are provisioned, but not consistently. Observation of detailed activities or social interactions is facilitated by provisioning, though it affects patterns of ranging behavior, feeding ecology, and the grouping of bonobos.Extensive interactions of researchers with villagers was another characteristic of the Wamba bonobo study site. Since bonobos live in the ecosphere (daily activity range) of villagers, the survival of the bonobos depends on the villagers' attitude toward them. We made every effort to impress upon the villagers that our presence (in other words, the presence of bonobos) at Wamba contributed to their welfare. We employed as many villagers as possible, distributed daily necessities such as soap, salt, clothes, and other items, as widely among the villagers as possible, and bought as many things as possible from them. Since the villagers have almost no cash income, and since it is difficult for them to obtain anything for daily use, as traders seldom visit Wamba, our activities influenced their daily livies economically.The bonobos at Wamba used to be free from hunting or predation by humans, since a food taboo against bonobo meat had prevailed in this region. However, some people gave up this taboo, and poaching of bonobos began around 1984. It is possible that poaching was responsible for 10 out of 21 disappearances of bonobos from the El group between 1984 and March, 1994. Most disappearances occurred during the absence of researchers from Wamba, which suggests the presence of researchers contributes to the conservation of bonobos.The Luo Scientific Reserve, including Wamba and the adjacent Ilongo forest was established in 1990. However, it does not serve to control poaching, since there are no official guards. Education of local people through investment on their school and medical care will be effective for gaining their support for protecting of bonobos.