Oh, La, La, We've Moved!

When the six bonobos left Africa on loan, Kizito drew the animals traveling to Europe. Rosie carrying a backpack, is seen in front, followed by mother Zuani with the baby Liboso on her back. Hani and Molaso are hauling suitcases, and, in the rear, Mwindu is dancing to a boom box, without a care on his mind.

The letter that accompanied the tongue-in-cheek cartoon was mailed to all of the bonobo friends that I had made over the years. It was to inform them that the bonobos had arrived safely in Holland, and that a 25 year collaborative contract had been signed, to provide long-term funding for bonobos in the Democratic of the Congo:

"A change of address! We finally left our cramped quarters at I.N.R.B. in Kinshasa on 2 March 1998 for a two story condo in Apenheul Primate park in Holland. The maids here tidy up daily and provide room service, starting with hot tea every morning.

"Balanced meals include succulent delicacies like kiwi, chicory, persimmon, celery, and grapes. The beds are special -- imagine choosing between straw lofts, canvas hammocks, thick rubber shelves, swinging nets and giant hanging Baskets! Our rooms (We wouldn't call them cages) are full of climbing poles, games, ropes, puzzles, swings, and toys. The floor is deep in wood chips so we can dig. Our new caretakers have promised a vacation each summer on an island complete with trees, pond, grass, stream, boulders, herb garden, marsh...what more could a bonobo ask for?

"Here in Holland, we've already made new friends with four resident bonobos -- Mobukisi, Joey, Lomela, and Jill, who is expecting. Speaking of which, with the excitement of getting ready to leave, I didn't have time to announce our new arrival...yes, I'm a mother now! Liboso (for the "first one" born in captivity in the Congo) entered this world in mid-January. Some people were surprised that I had no trouble, as I am still slight in frame at only 17 kg! (37 pounds). All my bonobo girlfriends want to help raise my baby.

"News from the rest of us -- Molaso is jealous of my little family and has gone off of birth control. (She had problems with spontaneous abortions and the doctor had put her on the pill.) Rosie is a typical teenager with new friends and Mwindu and Hani are glad to have guys to hang out with. A real clown, Mwindu has already come up with new twists on "catch me!"

"Part of the reason for our move is that we've been promoted! We are now "Bonobo Ambassadors" for a half million annual Apenhuel visitors. The job is strictly 9 to 5, and pretty relaxing, just being ourselves, and doing what bonobos do naturally. We can take a break from work anytime we want by going downstairs to escape the gaze of our admiring public. The only thing we miss is sugarcane, but all in all, there are no complaints.

"Well, that is not quite true. We miss our neighbors in Kinshasa, but we heard that they will be moving soon to better accommodations. On the serious side, Apenheul will provide permanent care for the bonobos left behind at I.N.R.B. Our hearts will always be in the Congo and because of this, Apenheul has guaranteed support for research and studies to benefit bonobos and other Congolese animals for the next quarter century. So we six fortunate ones feel like a catalyst for a lot of future good happenings in our homeland!"