Our mission
and vision
Photo © Gwenn DubourthoumieuOur mission is to protect bonobos, preserve their tropical rainforest habitat, and empower local communities in the Congo Basin.
Our vision is the Bonobo Peace Forest, a network of community-managed reserves where both bonobos and their human neighbors can thrive.
The Bonobo Conservation Initiative (BCI) is a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). BCI is the only international organization solely dedicated to protecting wild bonobos and their rainforest habitat. We believe that local leadership is the path to effective and enduring conservation.
Inspired by the cooperative nature of bonobos, BCI is developing the Bonobo Peace Forest in partnership with Congolese organizations and communities. Local communities take the lead in conservation efforts and benefit from livelihood programs including healthcare, education, income opportunities, and more. Large areas of rainforest are shielded from logging, mining, and other threats, while bonobos can roam freely within a protected habitat corridor.
Where we work
Bonobos are found in only one country: the Democratic Republic of Congo. They inhabit the heart of the world’s second largest rainforest. Home to countless species of plants and animals, the Congo Basin’s value for preserving biodiversity and mitigating climate change is nearly immeasurable.
The Bonobo Peace Forest in action
Founder and President, Sally Coxe, discusses the critical issues facing bonobos and what we're doing to help.