THE BONOBO GUARDIAN

SPRING NEWSLETTER 2025

STORIES OF HOW YOU SAVED AND PROTECTED BONOBOS AND THEIR RAINFOREST HOME

Our Mission

To save and protect bonobos and their rainforest home—forever. We do this through rescue, sanctuary, and rewilding, by partnering with local communities to tackle root causes and save rainforest, and by raising the profile of bonobos locally and globally.

Rescued and Safe, Thanks to YOU!

Your support saved Ikela from traffickers and gave her a safe place to heal.

Ikela was weak and malnourished when she was first rescued from an illegal wildlife trafficker. Your generosity not only saved Ikela’s life, but you also gave her food, medical care, and a safe place to rest, play, and heal. After she was rescued, Ikela was so scared she didn’t want to eat. But once she grew comfortable she gained more weight and grew stronger each day.

Ikela with her surrogate mama Mimie

Because of you, Ikela now has a safe place to live in our sanctuary, Lola ya Bonobo. Ikela is now a playful and inquisitive little bonobo who loves exploring the forest and playing with Lolabu, Mondombe, and Pongo. She is one of more than 70 bonobos in our care. Bonobos like Ikela are alive today thanks to your incredible kindness! Thank you for saving this very gentle and sociable bonobo from a wildlife trafficker. You gave her a chance to heal, grow, and thrive. None of this would be possible without you. Thank you for making a life-saving difference!

Ekolo Reserve Recovers

After the violence and destruction, your generosity helped repair Ekolo ya Bonobo Community Reserve

Two years ago, a devastating attack on the Ekolo ya Bonobo Community Reserve in the Congo put our staff and bonobos in danger. But thanks to our caring donors, the reserve facilities were rebuilt and the important work of safeguarding rewilded bonobos continued. Here’s what happened; a group of young men set fire to the sanctuary’s facilities and nearby villages. The attack destroyed our Elonda base camp, and tragically, five bonobos perished. Your help, plus many meetings and years of rebuilding relationships, has resulted in a reserve that is safe once again.

Your generosity helped rebuild the reserve, restart forest patrols, and create a safe forest home for bonobos! 

The Ekolo ya Bonobo Community Reserve is a vital part of our efforts to rehabilitate bonobos orphaned by poachers. Your help in rebuilding relationships and repairing the reserve will protect bonobos for generations to come.

From Captivity to Mama’s Loving Arms

You provided baby Esake with a loving Surrogate Mama

Because of you, Esake received the loving care, food, and medicine she needed to recover.

Thanks to your kindness, a young bonobo named Esake was rescued from poachers

and illegal traffickers. But Esake got a second chance at life and a safe place to call home because of you!

When Esake arrived at Lola ya Bonobo she was severely underweight and suffering from an intense fever. She was scared and alone. But she wasn’t alone for long! At the sanctuary, Yvonne, one of our incredible bonobo “Mamas”— a dedicated surrogate mother— wrapped Esake in her arms and welcomed her with love. These amazing women provide the support, care and love that young bonobos would get from their mothers in the wild.

With plenty of playtime and cuddles, baby Esake began to heal. She learned to trust. Warm interactions with her caregivers turned into making friends with other Bonobos. The sheer cuteness of two young bonobo friends playing together will melt your heart, and we are so happy for Esake! We hope one day she’ll be able to live freely in the wild again, where she truly belongs. Thank you for changing Esake’s life!

Meet One of Our Newest Arrivals, Kamina

Three-year old Kamina was recently rescued by Lola ya Bonobo team members

Mama Gladys with Kamina.

Three-year-old Kamina was just rescued after being kept as a pet—an experience that left her too young and too vulnerable to survive on her own in the wild. Now, she’s beginning a new chapter at Lola ya Bonobo, where expert caregivers and a loving surrogate mom named Mama Gladys are helping her heal, grow, and learn how to be a bonobo again.

While Kamina won’t be ready to return to the forest for quite some time, each day brings her closer to that goal. With round-the-clock care, healthy food, medical attention, and enrichment toys to stimulate her mind and body, she’s slowly recovering from her traumatic past. Her journey is just beginning, but with consistent support, she’ll one day have a real chance to live freely in the forest where she belongs.

A Message from Ariel

I am filled with thankfulness and gratitude for you! You have make life-changing differences in the lives of bonobos. From rescues, to recovery, to rewilding, the incredible stories in this newsletter show how your generosity has been a lifesaver for bonobos.

As you read each story, you’ll see the details of how you helped. Thank you so much. Your generosity makes our work possible.

Grateful for you,

Ariel Rogers

Executive Director, Friends of Bonobos

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