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Bonobo

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A gentle bonobo mother and her baby at Lola Ya Bonobo sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Bonobos

Bonobos are special friends to humans. They are one kind of great ape, just like chimpanzees. Bonobos live only in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in Africa. They stay in the humid forests south of the Congo River.

Bonobos look a little different from chimpanzees. They have longer arms, pinker lips, and darker faces. Both boys and girls bonobos have long, parted hair on their heads. They can live up to about 40 years in special homes called zoos.

People know about bonobos because they are very smart and kind. They live in groups where girls often help lead. Bonobos like to play and make friends. They are not usually angry, which makes their groups peaceful.

Bonobos help the forests, too. When they eat fruit, they spread seeds. This helps new plants grow. Without bonobos, some plants might not grow well.

Every year on February 14, people celebrate World Bonobo Day. This is a happy day to learn about and help protect these wonderful apes.

Images

A female bonobo at La Vallée de Singes in France, showing this intelligent primate in its habitat.
Bonobos Kanzi and Panbanisha sit with researcher Sue Savage-Rumbaugh, showing their ability to understand symbols.
A friendly group of bonobos enjoying each other’s company at the San Diego Zoo.
A bonobo, a type of great ape known for its intelligent behavior and peaceful nature, sitting calmly.
Bonobos, a type of primate, use certain leaves for healing purposes in the wild.
A comparison image of a male chimpanzee and a male bonobo, two types of primates.
A scientific comparison of thinking skills between bonobos and chimpanzees from a 2010 study.
A young bonobo named Ulrik sits calmly with its mother in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A young bonobo primate, showing the beauty of our closest animal relatives.
Comparison of primate skeletons showing the bones of a gibbon, orangutan, chimpanzee, gorilla, and human for educational purposes.

Related articles

Great ape
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Africa
Congolese rainforests
Congo River

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Bonobo, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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