New Bonobo Population Discovered
Posted by: Craig Woolheater on March 16th, 2007
Video available online at National Geographic News website linked below. A new theory is discussed concerning bonobos and their frequent bipedal gait.
Video: New Bonobo Ape Population Discovered
A new population of bonobos, one of humankind’s closest genetic relatives, has been discovered deep in a forest in Africa’s Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Perhaps the largest known concentration of bonobos anywhere, the group may number as many as 3,000—a significant addition to a recent estimated total of 10,000.
Bonobos, or pygmy chimpanzees, live only in the Congo River Basin and are notable for using sex for greetings, reconciliations, and favors for food.
The apparently thriving new population may owe its success to its location—partly within a private ranch—and to the local Bateke people
“We consider them human, our ancestors,” a Bateke man said. “We don’t eat them, and we don’t kill them.”National Geographic News
Co-founder of Cryptomundo in 2005.
I have appeared in or contributed to the following TV programs, documentaries and films:
OLN's Mysterious Encounters: "Caddo Critter", Southern Fried Bigfoot, Travel Channel's Weird Travels: "Bigfoot", History Channel's MonsterQuest: "Swamp Stalker", The Wild Man of the Navidad, Destination America's Monsters and Mysteries in America: Texas Terror - Lake Worth Monster, Animal Planet's Finding Bigfoot: Return to Boggy Creek and Beast of the Bayou.
Fantastic, let’s hope there are more out there hiding away from our guns!
I think it’s interesting that they are quasi (?) bipedal. Since they are found in new areas, I now wonder if some other sightings of mystery apes were actually Bonobos.
Now if they were more widespread across Africa five hundred years ago, maybe some got dropped off in the Southern U.S. (not by slave ships) and have become our Skunk ape of today.
These apes are more secretive than the average chimp and apparently more adaptive to different living conditions. They can live in deep jungle, savannah, mixed forest and maybe – Southern swamps.
I feel sure that bonobos account for many of the “mystery ape” sightings.
Great news as their population was dwindling in other areas.
Well, I am happy that the Bateke have this kind of reverence and respect for these creatures. It is very fortunate that they are living partly within this private ranch, as I cannot say I have confidence others will feel the same way. This is an exciting find.