If you are like most people, you have never heard the name “bonobo” and are scratching your head as to why this post is called “Family Reunion.” How might you possibly be related to someone you never heard of (or was that the unknown cousin at your grandparents’ anniversary that you exchanged awkward greetings with?)?! Well, unless you live in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) or a zoological park of some kind, it is unlikely that you have ever come face to face with your bonobo relatives, so your confusion can be easily forgiven.
Bonobos are also known as the “pygmy chimpanzee,’ though this is somewhat of a misnomer, as they are not merely smaller chimps, they are their own species (Pan paniscus), with their own host of traits, especially social and sexual behaviors, that set them apart from the common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes). While both are African great apes (NOT monkeys!), chimps are distributed across equatorial Africa, while bonobos only live in the DRC south of the Congo River. Bonobos can be recognized at a glance from chimps by their black faces (chimps often are more pale-skinned, especially in youth), more slender build, and distinctively parted black head hair. When I first learned about bonobos in an undergraduate primate behavior course, I remember thinking that their hair reminded me of the “butt cut,” a style popular with skateboarders at the time.
Art: Fernando G. Baptista, Daniela Santamarina, NGM Staff; Tony Schick
Sources: Frans de Waal, Emory University; Owen Lovejoy, Kent State University;
Melanie McCollum, University of Virginia; Adrienne L. Zihlman, University of California, Santa Cruz
Both the bonobo and the chimp score top marks for intelligence, and are among an elite (though, growing!) number of non-human species that have learned to communicate using human languages. Bonobos, being more rare than their chimp cousins, have been less studied until recently, though one in particular, a captive-born male named Kanzi, has wowed scientists with his brilliance. Kanzi communicates with researchers using a computerized keyboard covered in symbols, and has demonstrated an amazing level of comprehension for spoken English. He’s learned to knap stone tools, make fire, even play a duet with musician Peter Gabriel!
When it comes to their social and sexual behaviors, this is where the bonobo *really* starts to look different from the common chimp. Recent research has revealed that the more patriarchal chimps often engage in violent territorial disputes, as well as ruthless hunting practices, not always for food. These activities appear to strengthen strong male coalitions within their societies. On the other hand, the more matriarchal bonobos are characterized by a more tranquil existence. Strong female coalitions keep the peace, though power is distributed in a more egalitarian fashion. Disputes, rather than escalating to violence, are typically resolved through sex acts, regardless of sex, age, or biological relation. This has led the bonobo to become known in popular culture as the “Make Love, Not War” chimp. Both apes, despite their differences from one another, have a LOT in common with us, often to the exclusion of the other.
The common chimp and the bonobo are our closest living relatives, sharing about 99% of our DNA, though since more than 3% of the human genome is shared more with one or the other than either shares with each other, there is a LOT that we can potentially learn about ourselves from studying these differences and similarities. In this sense, the bonobo has much to teach us about a more egalitarian and peaceful side of our nature, and how to live more sustainably.
But, predictably, the way of the bonobo, being one of relaxed competition, has meant that they are now categorized as “endangered” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. We hope that you will join us as we continue to explore the world of our amazing relatives, and share the family love by spreading the word regarding their dire plight, so that future generations can learn from them, as well.
