Lola Ya Bonobo

Category: lomela | Date: Sep 16 2007 | By: admin

Lomela arrived two weeks ago. She was found by an organisation in Lodja called ACOPRIK (Action Communautair pour la Protection des Primates du Kasai) and brought to the sanctuary.

Pierrot, our education officer says Lodja is a terrible area because the local people eat bonobos. Lomela is lucky she made it to the sanctuary alive.

We are still not sure if Lomela will make it. Yesterday she started to breathe hard and fast and we were afraid her lungs were filling with fluid. All the babies in the nursery have a cold. We hope Lomela is strong enough to fight the infection and it doesn’t develop into pneumonia.

Henriette, her surrogate mother is taking care of her. Everyday I ask Henriette how Lomela is, and every day she says, better.

Mwanda, one of the female infants is especially fond of Lomela. She understands she has to be gentle and doesn’t bulldoze Lomela like she does with the other infants. When Mwanda sees Lomela, she always gives her a quick hug.