Lola Ya Bonobo

Sheryl, Washington, DC, on 12 Feb 2008

What I’m thinking right now is FAR more harsh than what I’m going to write. I will never, as long as I live, understand why humans believe they have to eat animals. I know someone’s going to come in here and talk about educating people but when we educate them that it’s OK to eat certain animals and not others, are we not sending a mixed message? Christ almighty.

s.

F. J. PECHIR, on 12 Feb 2008

Thank you for the report. Yes, the bushmeat trade is one of the biggest problems in conservation that Africa faces today. Recently has been reported that in some villeages and towns of Tanzania the comsuption of bushmeat is about some hundred kgs on a daily basis! and this information is true for many places in the continent. The bushmeat trade, unfortunately, is like the wash of money: its penalized by law when the poachers kill an animal in a protected area, but when that meat reach the local markets for human use then it is “normal or a local feeding tradition” and everyone see it as a every day thing. the best way to fight against this problem is to educate local people about the need to protect wildlife, information about possible infections and enforce the wildlife protection from poaching.

THERESA SISKIND, on 12 Feb 2008

First of all, check out Dr. Antonio Canella’s comments posted today about this subject; he provides a link to an article about protein and primates. People, it is time for us to take our gloves off, the heck with political correctness. Sometimes the poor are made out to be virtuous, by default. The truth is, bushmeat costs more to buy then a chicken or some other poor animal. They have a real craving for bushmeat, plain truth and indefensible and totally barbaric! Further more, these women need to stop having children they can ill afford to take care of. There, I said it, no appoligies in the offing.

Sheryl, Washington, DC, on 12 Feb 2008

Here’s the Web site that Dr. Canella posted earlier: http://www.karlammann.com

s.

THERESA SISKIND, on 12 Feb 2008

Wanda, we’re all with you! It is cannabalism as I believe in God and evolution. You know, they did a study on tribes that ate humans, many ended up with dementia later on. Also true for anvid hunter in North America who ate deer several times a week. He developed dementia as well, and in his early thirties, ended up in diapers and his poor wife had to care for him, as you would an infant.

Lucia Cristiana, Brazil, on 12 Feb 2008

The position of this little corpses are highly eloquet about suffering that men imposes to animals. Why this people don’t see what is so clear? Why they don’t realize the extraordinary similitude between us and primates? Until when my God? I DON’T EAT MEAT. According Jane Goodall it’s necessary to eat with care.

cathy-california, on 12 Feb 2008

Claudine, what do you think can be done to possibly change a culture in which this is deeply ingrained? It goes without saying that I find this revolting, but, what can we DO about this? Is there any hope when a government turns a blind eye?

colleen, on 13 Feb 2008

I think we are all upset because we all love these animals. The question is - how to spread this love to the people that like to eat them? If 3.9m people died in this country without too much international outrage - why should they care if we are outraged now about their eating habits? But what if there was a national pride for their wildlife - specifically what is special to this region- this country - it becomes like an ad campaign to make a difference in the way people think - perhaps pictures can help - ? - certainly this picture helped us to care - what about then pictures of bonobo laughing, loving, playing…little photographs glued on pieces of wood outlined with a gold marker - 21st century religious icons - given away - little gifts - this is just one idea - (coming from a lifelong vegetarian who can’t even get her own educated father to give up veal ) anyway - would love to brainstorm some more ideas with anyone - also, Karl Ammann co-authored a book “EATING APES” - excellent - however my disgust was not with those who ate the meat as much as with those who supplied the bullets… mainly the timber companies - a very complex issue -

Wanda, Atlanta, on 13 Feb 2008

With China investing in African farming and Bill Gates donating millions recently to African farming — will more habitat go — yes it will but if farming is becoming such a culture can’t they at least stop eating their own beautiful wildlife?

THERESA SISKIND, on 13 Feb 2008

Well for starters, how do we address the rampant corruption in many African governments? Please go to the Tanzania blog at WLD to see what I mean. Believe it or not, a lot of foreign aid goes to Africa…but how much reaches the people who need it? The fact that African officials are eating primates tells me they are not serious about conservation. How to address this. When I learned that the poor are willing to pay more for a bonobo to eat then a chicken, it opened my eyes,the issue being culture and ignorance. Dr. Terese Hart recently did a 2 part series on bushmeat. She underlined sustainable farming and eating animals not endangered as some solutions. Colleen, I love your ideas, we some how must make a connection to these battered, hardened hearts. Finally, the DRC has a population proplem, I really believe a planned parenthood program would be very beneficial to all; it would have to be done with sensitivity to their cultural beliefs. In fact, I feel so very strongly about this that I would make a substantial donation to get the ball rolling.

THERESA SISKIND, on 13 Feb 2008

Thank you Faye! I realize my comments may seem insensitive but I believe with my whole heart that these people are our equals, they should not be patronized. Praise them when they do something right and offer constructive criticism when their wrong. We called out Japan about the whaling and we support them with their innovations in technology. I am always criticizing my own government, when warranted. Please everyone, go to Paula’s blog Bazara, where the dialogue continues and thank you to everyone with such thoughtful comments, together we learn from each other and are making a difference!

colleen, on 13 Feb 2008

I think pressuring the government to crack down on the bush meat trade will not work because like Theresa said, the officials themselves like to eat primates. Education -yes - but it has to be combined with something religious, cultural taboos work - think all the cows in India and pigs in the Middle East. - I read local people in the bonobo range have stories passed down of bonobos helping their ancestors - and taboos against eating them. Is there a way we can help reinforce those beliefs? when consumers began to turn on smoking, the tobacco companies responded by giving away free things (brand loyalty). That works if there are no consequences of an ‘Us’ and ‘Them’ mentality - this is tricky - if hunters/consumers fall on the outside of people who care about the wildlife - then they have no responsibility whatsoever in preserving someone else’s values. For this reason, I think only the locals would know how to effectively change the minds of people who kill/eat primates, okapi, etc. and the best we can do is support the local people who share our values. Lola Ya Bonobo, the Lomami team, wildlife direct in general…

Pam/Shell Beach CA, on 13 Feb 2008

I agree with Carl about the need for fair trade. Vote with your dollars.

THERESA SISKIND, on 13 Feb 2008

Colleen, great idea. Can you please post this link at World’s Guerrilla Art blog! We have all been pleading with Julie to sell or auction the children’s art work. One more thought, and then I promise, I’m done. I suggested to Paula on her blog about funding the Kanyaruchinya Clinic for supplies for expectant mothers. You see, many of these women believe eating bonobos will strengthen and empower their unborn child. If we can reach these women, and supply them with fortified vitamins and cheap protein alternatives like soy bean and dried beans, as well as access to birth control, well it is a start, this clinic as a test project. Colleen, perhaps the interior walls of the clinic could have pictures of bonobos with their babies, along the lines of which you mentioned earlier. If we can just get these women to make the vital connection between baby humans and baby bonobos, then it could spread to other members of their community.

Lucia Cristiana, Brazil, on 13 Feb 2008

You said that Salonga Parks are parks specially created for the bonobos in 1970 by President. Would be possible create or increase patrols antipoaching like mountain gorillas’ case? Yours ideas are very good. Today is need struggle on three fronts: 1) rich countries
to who is good caos in african’s countries rich in minerals; 2) habits and taboos against wild life like bonobos; 3) superpopulation.

frances sokowski, on 03 Mar 2008

What hypocracy you people show! I am surprised to hear you whine about a totally natural food source that has been eaten in Africa for thousands of years by some tribes. These are animals we are talking about here, get it animals! With the continent continaully fighting local bush wars the rebels in the feild will hunt and kill whatever they can eat, You go tell a company of armed rebels they cannot eat ape any more. I bet they would shoot you gut you cook you and eat you! The brazen hypocracy you spout sitting in your heated homes throwing enough food out a week to feed an african family for 1 month. But noooo you phonies love to sit at your expensive(3 yrs wages for an african worker) computer and with a few keystrokes condem a continent, when you yourself won’t lift a finger to help an african family huh? Apes are animals. What do you think the hindus think of our western slaughter houses hhhmmmmmm………………. I can only surmise that they are horrified!

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Bahati colette, on 13 Aug 2008

I am surprise to hear that is good to protect animal than human being.