Bonobo (Pan paniscus) Conservation Strategy 2012–2022

40

Strategic objectives Priority actions

Priority level 

Moderate

 ê

High 

 

êê

Very high

 êêê

S3/O5

By 2016, 

implementation 

of the strategy 

targeting private 

investors operating 

in the bonobo 

range† results in 

implementation of 

wildlife regulations, 

leading to effective 

bonobo protection‡

•  Establish partnerships for implementation of activities in 

accordance with S3/O1

•  Support implementation of activities including 

development of appropriate materials for target 

audience (copies of relevant legal texts, workshops on 

best practice, media campaigns against companies 

operating illegally, etc.)

•  Monitor results: trends in companies having adequate 

management plans concerning wildlife regulations, 

implementation rates, impact on bonobos within 

concessions, and so on

êêê

* Demonstrated by a decrease in bonobos on bushmeat markets and other indicators defined in the strategy

** Demonstrated by decreases in demand for bonobo meat, presence in urban markets, and other indicators 

defined in the strategy

*** Demonstrated by decrease in involvement of public officials in illegal trafficking of bonobos and other 

protected species, increase in convictions of public officials involved with wildlife crime, an increase in efforts 

to curb illegal trafficking of bonobos and other protected species, and other indicators defined in the strategy

†  Number of operators, location of their activities and size of the area under their management to be defined 

in the strategy

‡ Demonstrated by stable bonobo populations within private concessions of complying operators

4.5.4 Strategy 4 Research and Monitoring Activities

Research and monitoring are integral to most activities defined in this plan and, therefore, the 

strategies detailed above. The three key components of conservation monitoring are (i) monitoring 

the conservation target (in this case, bonobo populations and distribution), (ii) monitoring threats 

(especially hunting, habitat loss and infectious disease) and (iii) monitoring interventions (such as 

law enforcement). Analysis of the relationships between these components (such as the effort and 

spatial distribution of antipoaching) should indicate whether specific management strategies are 

working or not, and which ones are more effective. In addition, decisions on the best location, size, 

design, habitat type and ecological context of PAs should be informed by scientifically-validated 

information on bonobo ecology and their response to human impacts. Additionally, awareness and 

lobbying programmes must include monitoring of their effectiveness, both in terms of measurable 

Training park guards to moni-

tor bonobo populations in SNP;  

Etate Patrol Post and Research 

Station. © Gay Reinartz/ZSM

Table, Strategy 3, continued from previous page

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increases in awareness/change of attitudes and, if possible, on how those changes impact bono-

bos. Finally, research and monitoring needs to include ways of prevention, early detection and 

containment of infectious diseases, identified as a potentially serious threat to bonobos.

Strategy 4: Research and Monitoring Activities

A detailed monitoring plan will need to be drawn up with measurable targets (quantity/extent/time) for each 

of the activities.

Strategic objectives

Priority actions

Priority level 

Moderate

 ê

High 

 

êê

Very high

 êêê

S4/O1

By 2015, analyses of 

trends in bonobo pop-

ulations are produced 

every 4–5 years and 

analyses of distribu-

tion every 2 years

•  Monitor bonobo population density and distribution 

in PAs, buffer zones and logging concessions in the 

bonobo range (c.f. Kühl et al. 2008)

•  Produce regular reports with maps showing trends in 

the above, both at site level and for the whole range

êêê

S4/O2

By 2013, analyses of 

trends in threats to 

bonobos are carried 

out annually

•  Monitor no. of bonobos killed or captured

•  Monitor habitat loss (village-level agriculture, other 

activities causing habitat destruction)

•  Monitor potential habitat loss (planned industrial oil 

palm, rubber, other crop plantation plans, and mining 

plans) and establish rapid response to mitigate their 

impacts on bonobos

êêê

S4/O3

By 2013, 

effectiveness of 

law enforcement is 

tracked across entire 

bonobo range

•  Monitor law enforcement activities (patrol number, 

composition, time spent, etc.)

•  Monitor judiciary follow through

•  Assess effectiveness by comparing effort of law 

enforcement and judiciary follow through with seizure, 

arrest and prosecution rates

êêê

S4/O4

By 2014, logging 

concessions are 

monitored for 

compliance with 

wildlife law

•  Regular checks on whether companies have 

management plans that include appropriate internal 

regulations for fauna protection

•  Reporting on the proportion of companies that have 

these regulations

•  Name and shame those that do not

êêê

S4/O5

By 2016, a sound 

health monitoring and 

disease prevention 

plan is developed 

and implemented, 

focusing on the 

prevention of human-

bonobo disease 

spread, having the 

potential to address 

eventual disease 

outbreaks among 

bonobos and 

contributing to the 

well-being of local 

communities living 

around PAs

In consultation with all relevant actors (Ministry of Health, 

other health agencies, local and regional health workers, 

research institutions and conservation NGOs), elaborate 

a bonobo health monitoring and disease prevention plan. 

The plan should identify:

•  targets

•  objectives for each target

•  intervention methods for each target

•  implementing partners

•  a budget

•  a monitoring plan to measure impacts of the interventions

êê

Establish partnerships for the implementation of activities, 

including:

•  training field teams on early detection, prevention, first 

aid, sample storage, health education (as defined in the 

plan)

•  where needed (as defined in the plan) support local 

health programmes focusing on prevention of human-

bonobo disease transmission

•  regular screening and sample analysis (to assess 

current health status and enable early detection of 

anomalies) and interpretation of results

•  support the establishment of an ‘emergency 

intervention plan’ (with funds restricted to emergency 

use only) to define a clear chain of actions to be 

followed during eventual outbreaks

êê

A strict disease prevention and monitoring plan must be 

developed for former-captive bonobos being released into 

natural habitats. Release programmes must follow IUCN 

guidelines for re-introduction

êê

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