Wild Bonobos

These images are of wild bonobos that are being studied by Dr. Jo Thompson, Director of the Lukuru Wildlife Research Project. The first is a young male with his mother. Males stay with their mothers their entire lives, and their rank in the group is tied to her social status. A high ranking female will raise high ranking sons. (Daughters go "out into the world" when they reach puberty, and join another group).

The second photograph illustrates one of the saving fortunes for the bonobo. Because of its ability to walk upright for many strides, some local Congolese peoples will not kill or eat the bonobo. They tell stories about the closeness of humans to bonobos; that it is an "ancestor," saved the human ancestor, or was, once upon a time, a servant of man.

The last photograph shows two female bonobos in "G-G" rubbing, or "genito-genital" rubbing, one of many different positions and combinations of sex in the species. The species' frequent use of sexual relations (with or without penetration) serves to reduce tension whenever there is stress, such as competition over resources. In bonobo society, males and females, young and old, will pantomime sex as a greeting, as reassurance, or a "thank-you" in exchange for food.

In the bonobo world, females are dominant, and sisterly bonds will compel them to gang up on any male that would dare question their authority. This unique twist in the animal kingdom intrigues primatologists, sexual evolutionary scientists, and the rest of us.

Photos by R. Ross