Linking Zoos and Primate Sanctuaries through Education

Columbus Zoo Develops a book for Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary and the Children of Congo
By Rebecca Rose, Field Conservation Director, Columbus Zoo

In collaboration with Les Amies des Bonobos du Congo (The Friends of Bonobos of Congo), the Columbus Zoo is developing a children’s book entitled Protegez la faune et la flore precieuses du Congo (Protect the precious wildlife of Congo) featuring the bonobo and nine other endangered animals of Congo. The book will include basic biological information about each species with an emphasis on the importance of preserving biological diversity. The threat to Congo’s wildlife from illegal bushmeat hunting will also be addressed. This project is the result of meetings that took place in March 2002 between Columbus Zoo employees and the staff of Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary located outside of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

The 28 animals (many of them orphans of the bushmeat trade) housed at Lola ya Bonobo comprise the largest group of captive bonobos in the world. Because of the sanctuary’s proximity to Kinshasa – a city of 7 million people – the founder and president of Les Amis des Bonobos du Congo, Mme Claudine Andre, believes the project offers tremendous educational opportunities for the people of Congo, most of whom do not have the financial means to visit protected areas and parks. The educational program offered at the sanctuary reaches up to 10,000 students each year, and when completed, the children’s book will be a valuable tool for sanctuary staff to reach scores of children with their strong message of wildlife conservation.

PASA Sanctuaries, Bushmeat Education and Public Awareness
By Natalie Bailey

Experts have identified education and public awareness regarding bushmeat as one of the priority solutions to the current crisis. BCTF and its Supporting Members are now working with the members of the Pan African Sanctuaries Alliance (PASA), an association of 19 African primate and wildlife sanctuaries located throughout sub-Saharan Africa, to develop bushmeat education and public awareness tools at both local and national levels. During two PASA meetings in May and June 2003 (PASA Educators’ Workshop and PASA Directors’ Meeting), BCTF will work with PASA to determine the most urgent needs for bushmeat education and awareness, target groups and potential collaborators for this effort. As each sanctuary has very different challenges, resources and opportunities, the messages and materials that will be developed must be flexible for different situations, much like the U.S.-targeted Bushmeat Education Resource Guide (BERG). Through its collaborative work on the BERG with AZA’s Conservation Education Committee, BCTF has identified an interest of US-based educational and conservation professionals to link educational efforts in the US to on-the-ground work in Africa. To get involved with this initiative, contact Natalie Bailey, BCTF Program Coordinator, at info@bushmeat.org .