The Bonobo Conservation Initiative (BCI) is an American- and Congo-based non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and preservation of bonobos (Pan paniscus) and their biodiversity. This includes preserving the habitat of the bonobos in the tropical rainforest, physical protection of bonobos, and empowering local communities in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRG) (BCI, 2013). Since the endangered bonobos are endemic to the DRG, the main focus of the BCI is entirely in the DRG (WWF, 2012; IELC, 2016). BCI is unique in the sense that it is the only international organization that focuses on both protecting bonobos and their rainforest habitat, compared to other organizations which may focus only on the primates (BCI, 2013). By protecting
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The Great African war that lasted from 1996-2006 had caused destabilisation in the social, political, and economical conditions within the DRC, which resulted in an immense environmental crisis and subsequent starvation (Waller and White, 2016). The lack of food forced people in the DRC to use the rely more on bushmeat hunting to feed their families, which dropped the bonobo population (Waller and White, 2016). However, despite local taboos against the consumption of bonobos, it was suggested that these taboos were lifted during this period due to starvation (Waller and White, 2016). Furthermore, studies have shown that hunting of protected species for bushmeat increase by fivefold during war compared to periods of peace (Waller and White, 2016). However, a feasible solution to this is the Bonobo Protection Unit (BPU). The BPU was created in order to reinforce laws that were forgotten during war – laws that declare the hunting of bonobos as an illegal activity (BCI, 2013). Local law enforcement and the government of Congo have between working together with the BCI in order to stop bushmeat hunting and to educate the general public that bonobo hunting is illegal (BCI, 2013). The BCI operates by having trackers and eco-guards throughout Congo’s forest to monitor bonobo territory and find evidence of poaching (BCI, 2013). The BPU is active in …show more content…
This has an indirect effect on the conservation of bonobos. The people of the DRC will have alternative food and economic resources alongside education that aims to teach the local communities to utilize their abundant natural resources, rather than rely on bushmeat hunting (BCI, 2013). The BCI have addressed this by supporting several agriculture projects such as the planting of a mosaic disease-resistant cassava (root vegetable), a staple in the Congolese diet (BCI, 2013). The locals support the agriculture projects which both provide an economic resource and a food source for them. Additionally, other locals may attend the Djolu Technical College in order to successfully manage their abundant natural resource (BCI, 2013). The college was founded by the BCI, a local partner Vie Sauvage, and regional authorities (BCI, 2013). The college offers young individuals opportunities to learn about conservation management, sustainable agriculture, and micro-enterprise development (BCI, 2013). All of these strategies are excellent ways to get the locals involved with a higher quality of life, which ultimately leads to preservation of the forest and bonobos. However, these strategies lack the means for long-term funding and seem to only have short-term funding (BCI, 2013). Once again, the
The Great African war that lasted from 1996-2006 had caused destabilisation in the social, political, and economical conditions within the DRC, which resulted in an immense environmental crisis and subsequent starvation (Waller and White, 2016). The lack of food forced people in the DRC to use the rely more on bushmeat hunting to feed their families, which dropped the bonobo population (Waller and White, 2016). However, despite local taboos against the consumption of bonobos, it was suggested that these taboos were lifted during this period due to starvation (Waller and White, 2016). Furthermore, studies have shown that hunting of protected species for bushmeat increase by fivefold during war compared to periods of peace (Waller and White, 2016). However, a feasible solution to this is the Bonobo Protection Unit (BPU). The BPU was created in order to reinforce laws that were forgotten during war – laws that declare the hunting of bonobos as an illegal activity (BCI, 2013). Local law enforcement and the government of Congo have between working together with the BCI in order to stop bushmeat hunting and to educate the general public that bonobo hunting is illegal (BCI, 2013). The BCI operates by having trackers and eco-guards throughout Congo’s forest to monitor bonobo territory and find evidence of poaching (BCI, 2013). The BPU is active in …show more content…
This has an indirect effect on the conservation of bonobos. The people of the DRC will have alternative food and economic resources alongside education that aims to teach the local communities to utilize their abundant natural resources, rather than rely on bushmeat hunting (BCI, 2013). The BCI have addressed this by supporting several agriculture projects such as the planting of a mosaic disease-resistant cassava (root vegetable), a staple in the Congolese diet (BCI, 2013). The locals support the agriculture projects which both provide an economic resource and a food source for them. Additionally, other locals may attend the Djolu Technical College in order to successfully manage their abundant natural resource (BCI, 2013). The college was founded by the BCI, a local partner Vie Sauvage, and regional authorities (BCI, 2013). The college offers young individuals opportunities to learn about conservation management, sustainable agriculture, and micro-enterprise development (BCI, 2013). All of these strategies are excellent ways to get the locals involved with a higher quality of life, which ultimately leads to preservation of the forest and bonobos. However, these strategies lack the means for long-term funding and seem to only have short-term funding (BCI, 2013). Once again, the