Baby Bonobo Tshilomba

Tshilomba was a feisty little female bonobo who had a mind of her own. She is seen here in diapers being held by a volunteer. Usually, we did not use diapers for the babies, because it was too messy. What we did was pay attention to a squirmy bonobo as a subtle signal of need. Then we would hold it out, tilting the baby's rear away from our clothing, to do its business.

Photo by D. Messinger