February 14th is not just Valentine’s Day… Its’ World Bonobo Day!

World Bonobo Day was started in 2017 to raise awareness about bonobos while aiding in the conservation of this remarkable species. Since then this special day continues to be celebrated on February 14.

“Why are bonobos lesser known than chimps, gorillas, and orangutans? Perhaps mainly because they live only in one place, and it is a remote place — deep in the rainforest of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their forest habitat spans about 500,000 sq. kilometers and is demarcated by three rivers, the Congo, Kasai, and Lualaba. Throughout their range, bonobos are increasingly at risk from human beings, who have killed them off to the point of endangerment. Today there are an estimated 15,000-20,000 wild bonobos remaining.” Jacqueline Conciatore, Writer and Editorial Manager, African Wildlife Foundation

“Our peace-loving cousins are still a mystery. Bonobos share 98.7% of their genetic code with humans, 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.” worldwildlife.org