"Hippie Chimps" (Bonobos) Fast Disappearing in Congo

[The Stranger]

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=1690106&technology=true

"Hippie Chimps" (Bonobos) Fast Disappearing in Congo

Bonobos, Known As 'Hippie Chimps,' Fast Disappearing As Dinner for Congolese

MBIHE-MOKELE, Congo - Scientists are struggling to save the fast-disappearing bonobo, the gentle "hippie chimp" known for resolving squabbles through sex rather than violence.

Unfortunately, bonobos are prized by Congolese for their tasty meat, and many villagers who are illegally hunting the wiry, wizen-faced apes don't realize how close their prey is to extinction.

...

As few as 5,000 may now remain in Congo, down from an estimated 100,000 in 1984, said Ino Guabini, a primatologist with the World Wildlife Fund.

"There is no question that bonobos are seriously threatened," Guabini said, speaking over a shrill forest symphony of birds, animals and insects. "We need urgent measures or there is no way we can protect the species."

[Toots]

1. "We need urgent measures

If we only spent one tenth as much as we spend on war and killing on food for people throughout the world these chimps could be saved...But hell no that is not the American Christian way. We must Kill and Kill and Kill some more..We spend more than most of the world combined on implements of Death and War. We should be soo proud of us.

[xchrom]

2. no kidding, huh?

stunning that america finds a way to spend all that money in ways that gain us more enemies and greater threats to the environment and people.

[Lorien]

9. This may be more of a cultural issue than a hunger issue

if the bonobos are "prized for their tasty meat", then it may not matter if the villagers who hunt them are supplied with nourishing meals or not. The swordfish has nearly been hunted to extinction in North American waters due to demand-not need. Education may be whats needed most here.

on edit, from the article:

But for poor villagers, bonobos can be lucrative business, with much of the meat heading for expensive, clandestine meals at restaurants in the cities.

One bonobo can earn $200 for Richard Ipaka, a 50-year-old part-time poacher who lives in the provincial capital, Mbandaka.

"That's enough money for two months," he said.

Like many Congolese, he said he did not know bonobos are found in the wild only in his country. And like many others, he was skeptical that the ape is endangered.

"Our ancestors have been eating bonobos for centuries. How could they disappear?" Ipaka said.

Their people are much like the swordfish fishermen of the east coast; they need new income opportunities and a better understanding of their environment. Both bonobos and swordfish breed infrequently (only one offspring every five years for bonobos-despite all the sex). Those eating bonobos also need to be educated about how closely related they are to us, and how AIDS and ebola developed from from the practice of primate eating.

[xchrom]

13. i'm for whatever efforts it takes

to correct the situation.

and i agree it may not be hunger -- but i do think the issues are probably layered.

[KittyWampus]

15. Research organizations found that giving stewardship to locals would help

By that I mean, give locals who live near bonobos the sole right to harvest X amount of monkeys.

The locals get the money and also have a vested interest in controlling poaching.

[MountainLaurel]

3. Que horrible!

Poor, poor primate cousins!

[megatherium]

4. especially when you learn that AIDS is believed to have

originated from human butchering and consumption of primates.

[Lorien]

7. and ebola. SARS may have come from the eating of civit cats

and chimps may have developed AIDS and Ebola from eating monkeys. Eating your cousins is a dangerous practice indeed.

[tabasco]

5. I saw a documentary on these chimps.

They really have some get down orgies.

We should have evolved from these guys.

[Lorien]

8. They are more closly related to humans than other primates n/t

[MADem]

17. Perhaps Scalia did, then????

He opined that they were a good thing, in a speech awhile back....

[anotherdrew]

6. disgusting cannibals as far as I'm concerned eating these animals

These ignorant worthless men should be extinct not Bonobos.

[Bonobo]

10. Humans have sucked for the last 10,000 years...

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

[The Sushi Bandit]

11. This is REPUKE propaganda!

Yes, the chimps are in grave danger and all poaching should be stopped but...

Hippie chimps?? Hey, I was a hippie in the late 60's and these chimps are nothing like me!

Do they smoke pot??
Do they protest the war??
Do they listen to Jimi Hendrix?
Do they wear bell bottoms with tie-dye shirts and mukluks?
Do they avoid all forms of work?

Just because they like sex.. for any reason does not make them Hippies. REPUKES just want to make us to look like chimps in the publics eye!

[reprobate]

12. Headline soon: Humans fast disappearing from planet earth.

[arewenotdemo]

14. Sub-text

"Earth breathes huge sigh of relief".

[daleo]

16. I wish there was a hippy chimp in Washington

Instead of a war-monger chimp.

[tabasco]

18. Hahahaha!

Good one!