The evolution of bonobos as we know them today happened in the equatorial forests south of the Congo River, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This, simply put, means that it is their home: they can’t survive anywhere else in the world. This is key to understand why a project at that exact location is key to maintain an ensure their survival. Project GACEBB, which is acronym for Groupe D'appui À La Conservation Des Ecosystèmes De Basankusu Et Bolomba, took on the mission to safeguard them.
How does GACEBB work? By implementing income generating micro-projects for the local communities to improve their socio-economic conditions and by that, to reduce pressure on bonobos and their habitat. They also have an education program to sensitize the population about the importance and fragility of ecosystems and a climate change fight program aimed to restore deforested areas. To be precise, GACEBB initiatives are:
