Lola ya Bonobo Flood Recovery: Step by Step Thanks to You
In early 2025, historic floods swept through Kinshasa, including Lola ya Bonobo, the only sanctuary in the world dedicated to orphaned bonobos. Water surged into the forest, damaging enclosures, paths, and buildings. Thanks to emergency donations from our global community, we’ve been able to take quick action to stabilize and restore the sanctuary.
Here’s how your support is helping us protect bonobos and rebuild Lola stronger than ever.
Restoring the Landscape and Infrastructure
One of our top priorities was clearing flood debris and sand that covered important areas like the Petites Chutes beach zone, where water had shifted the terrain. With your help, we:
- Removed layers of mud and silt to expose original concrete foundations
- Trimmed damaged bamboo and planted new stalks to restore shade and prevent erosion
- Repaired erosion along key access paths, including the trail to the Petites Chutes restaurant
- Created a new access path to the beach area of Petites Chutes
- Leveled the patio after removing mud and silt from exterior and interior of restaurantClick through above to see the progress we are making in action!
Rebuilding Visitor Access to Lola
Educational visits are a vital part of our mission. Donor support has helped us begin the process of reopening visitor paths at Lola ya Bonobo, including:
- Repairing and leveling the main trail to Enclosure 2
- Installing anti-erosion protection to reduce future risk
- Replacing damaged enclosure fencing and removing the debris responsible
- Beautifying and reinforcing paths used by school groups and researchers
These trails are more than walkways, they connect people to conservation and to the bonobos we protect to ensure visitors and bonobos can keep a safe distance from one another.
Cleaning and Preparing for the Future
We’ve also made major progress on recovery inside key structures. So far, we have:
- Cleaned and restored the Restaurant Paillote, removing thick mud and debris
- Working to sanitize, repair, and replace cooking/storage equipment
- Eliminated fallen branches and natural waste to prevent further damage
- Assessed areas for future upgrades that improve resilience against climate-related threats
- Replacing concrete flooring and foundations
We’re not just rebuilding… we’re preparing for stronger, safer operations going forward.
Explore Lola Online: Virtual Tour
Want to see what we’re working toward? Explore Lola ya Bonobo from wherever you are with ourvirtual tour on YouTube. Walk the paths, see the enclosures, and experience the sanctuary we are restoring, and improving, together.
Our goal is to rebuild Lola to this standard and beyond, with better infrastructure and more climate-resilient systems.
We can’t wait to take you on an updated virtual tour or welcome you in person when the repairs are complete!
Thank You for Supporting Bonobo Conservation
Every trail cleared, wall repaired, and tree replanted is made possible by supporters like you. Your gift helped us act quickly and now lets us build with long-term sustainability in mind. Stay tuned for continued updates on the Lola ya Bonobo flood recovery and how your generosity is protecting bonobos in the heart of the DRC.
Kendra is a creative problem-solver who excels in leading end-to-end project delivery with a focus on clear goals and timely execution. She provides support to FOB’s development and communications teams and serves as assistant to the Executive Director. Originally from Panamá, Kendra is an avid traveler. She is proud to support bonobo conservation not only for the well-being of bonobos but also because it helps protect our planet.
Njango has worked in climate action and environment conservation for four years. She supports FOB through donor communications, data analysis, research, and outreach. Njango has been a fan of wildlife conservation since her visit to Ol Pejeta Conservancy as a young girl, where she saw the beauty of elephants, and how their home was threatened because of human interference. She strongly believes that the only way to achieve true utopia is to live in harmony with animals.
Amanda makes connections with FOB’s major donors. She has worked in the nonprofit sector for her entire career and found her passion for animal rights and conservation as a volunteer fundraiser for a local dog rescue. She finds that FOB coalesces multiple causes – environmental, animal rights, and community engagement. While protecting bonobos first drew her to FOB, she’s learned how we, as humans, are connected to the environment and to the bonobos that we strive to protect.
Kathleen Cook brings more than eight years of experience working across Africa, with a focus on the Democratic Republic of Congo, where she has traveled over twenty times to support projects spanning conservation, clean energy, and community development. Her career has centered around using storytelling, strategic marketing, and relationship-building to create meaningful impact.
