Inquisitive Stare
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Africa
Wild bonobos are shy and will generally avoid contact, with their first reaction being to flee from people. But they are generally socially tolerant and curious about humans. They can read human facial expressions, and aggressive or stressful cues can make them stressed and potentially lead to a negative reaction. This bonobo is a member of a troop that has been somewhat habituated, but they don’t let you get too close. As long as they remain in the trees they feel safe and will tolerate a relatively close approach.
The IUCN Red List classifies bonobos as an endangered species, with conservative population estimates ranging from 29,500 to 50,000 individuals. The major threats to bonobo populations include habitat loss and hunting for bushmeat. The bonobo population is believed to have declined sharply in the last 30 years, though surveys have been hard to carry out in the oft war-ravaged DRC. Some communities are trying to protect bonobo populations (such as these) by educating their local populations about the intrinsic value of the species and trying to develop an eco-tourism economy around them.
Photo © copyright by Dr. Edward Mikol.
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