Formally identified by scientists as a separate species from Chimpanzees only in 1926, bonobos are still the least understood of the great apes. In contrast with male dominated chimp society, females take charge in bonobo communities.

Whereas chimpanzees are aggressive and territorial, the smaller bonobos are easygoing and non-territorial and defuse tension through love! Despite habitat loss and hunting, approximately 10,000 bonobos remain in the heart of the DRC forests. Volcanoes is now studying how to overcome access problems and lack of infrastructure so that we can take clients there in the future.