Bild 1: Eine häufig verwendete Methode zur Bestandsaufnahme von am Boden lebenden Tieren sind Kamerafallen. Die Aufnahmen liefern Nahaufnahmen und erlauben so nicht nur die Identifikation der Art, sondern, wie im Falle von Bonobos, oft auch das Wiedererkenne bestimmter Individuen.

Figure 1: A common technique to assess the diversity ad abundance of wild animals is the deployment of camera traps. The records can provide close ups that facilitate the identification of the species and in some cases such as bonobos and other larger mammals, allow recognition on certain individuals.



Bild 2: Mattia Bessone (links im Bild) und Mitarbeiter der kongolesischen Naturschutzbehörde ICCN

Figure 2: Mattia Bessone (left) together with members of the Congolese Wildlife Authority ICCN

Stocktaking in the Salonga (figure 1)

The survival of many wild animals is acutely threatened. All over the world, researchers and conservationists carry out population counts in order to estimate the degree of threat with solid figures. The results of such censuses provide information about the current status quo. Even more important than current figures are trend estimates of how wild animal populations change over time. However, for many species reliable figures that allow such conclusions to be drawn are comparatively rare. Firstly, population counts are logistically complex and costly. Secondly, different methods are often used, which is why the results from study a are not necessarily comparable with those from study B. Thirdly, counts tend to focus on small areas and are then extrapolated to large areas, a method that is prone to error. A study published in December 2024 presents figures on the population development of the bonobo population in Salonga National Park. Unlike previous studies, Mattia Bessone (figure 2) and his co-authors incorporated records taken over a long period of time and at different locations in the park in their analysis. The study concludes that the Salonga is still home to one of the largest bonobo populations and is therefore of particular importance for the protection of this great ape species. However, the figures indicate a decline in the population. The previous conservation measures are therefore not sufficient to safe bonobos in the largest protected area of the Cuvette Central. One strategy that has so far received little attention would be to utilise the buffer zone surrounding the park and the help of the local population. On one hand, this would directly benefit the bonobos living in the vicinity of Salonga. On the other hand, this would be an additional means of preventing hunters from entering the protected area. Recruiting additional men power for bonobo conservation can, as demonstrated by Bonobo Alive's long-standing efforts, make the Salonga and its surroundings a safer place.
However, it is not known how many bonobos live in other forests south of the Congo River. While conservation efforts will continue to focus on those forests that are under the control of the Congolese Wildlife Authority ICCN, the survey of bonobo population in non-protected areas is of the utmost importance for bonobo conservation. As exemplified by Bonobo Alive’s successes around Salonga, community-led conservation strategies can help preserving bonobos throughout their geographical range.