Causes: Animals, Environment, Natural Resources Conservation & Protection, Protection of Endangered Species, Wildlife Preservation & Protection

Mission: BCI’s mission is to protect endangered bonobos, preserve tropical rainforest habitat, and empower communities in the Congo basin.

Target demographics: Bonobos

Geographic areas served: Democratic Republic of Congo

Programs: The Bonobo Peace Forest and Kokolopori Bonobo Reserve. Kokolopori (1.2 million acres) is the pilot and model for the Bonobo Peace Forest: an integrated network of community-managed forest reserves, spanning a vast area of rainforest habitat. Includes reserve management and wildlife protection at koklopori reserve and other conservation sites; scientific surveys and monitoring of bonobo and biodiversity; training and education; local livelihood programs, healthcare and sustainable development initiatives. Established long-term bonobo research program in partnership with max planck institute for evolutionary anthropology. Secured local and provincial accords necessary for legal protection of the 1.3 million acre lilungu forest.

sankuru nature reserve & community carbon initiative: established first large scale community-managed rainforest reserve spanning 7.5 million acres. Capacity-building of local management team, provision of equipment and training for local communities. Development of long term financing through redd+ program to mitigate climate change through rainforest protection.

awareness & education: in-situ and ex-situ programs to raise awareness about bonobos and their importance, biodiversity and the crisis of species loss, rainforest protection and climate change. Includes outreach, networking and social media campaigns to motivate greater support of bonobo conservation, as well as local initiatives to strengthen community engagement and commitment to bonobo and rainforest protection.