Friends of Bonobos

Friends of Bonobos refers to the generous sponsors of the “Lola Ya Bonobo” sanctuary. The Lola Ya Bonobo sanctuary of the NGO, Les Amis des Bonobos du Congo (ABC) was founded by Claudine Andre in 1994. Since 2002, the sanctuary has been located at Les Petites Chutes de la Lukaya, just outside of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In 1993, a baby bonobo changed Claudine Andre's life forever after 'Mikeno' arrived at the Kinshasa zoo where she volunteered. Though there was not much hope for his survival, she was determined to save him. After Mikeno, other bonobos followed. Today, assisted by a formidable team, her santuary's reach extends to the rest of the Congo. Ms Andre tirelessly works to educate Congolese on the endangered bonobo as well as the dangers and cruelty of eating bush meat. She has been awarded both the National Order of Merit (France) and the Prince Laurent Prize of the Environment (Belgium). Ms. Andre makes frequent presentations at conferences all over the world in order to raise awareness of bonobos, their protection and future.

Lola ya Bonobo means ‘paradise for bonobos’ in Lingala, the main language of Kinshasa. As of 2007, the santuary was home to 52 bonobos living on 30 hectares of primary forest.

Sponsors

 * Arcus Foundation
 * Colombus zoo & Sulatalu Fund for Great Apes
 * World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA)
 * Brigitte Bardot Foundation
 * Society for the Protection of Animals (SPA) France
 * 30 millions friends association
 * Margot Marsh Biodiversity Fund
 * Great Apes Trust of Iowa
 * Soco - Helping Hand Fund (Australia)
 * Private donations, particularly through Wildlife Direct (blog)

See also 'Friends of Bonobos' sponsors.

Contact
Web address: http://www.friendsofbonobos.org

SourceWatch articles

 * Humane Movement
 * War on Animals