From PASA – Pan African Sanctuaries Alliance

We are excited to tell you about a huge step forward in protecting African primates. When baby Ingende arrived at Lola ya Bonobo, a PASA member in DR Congo, he was in dire condition. He had just been seized from the poachers that murdered his family. They were going to sell him into the illegal pet trade for $3,000.

We are happy to report that with dedicated and compassionate care from Lola staff, Ingende has made a full recovery. Now, he befriends other orphans like Esake, and helps them adjust to their new sanctuary home in the forest.

Sadly, countless babies like Ingende are ripped from the wild every year. Wildlife trafficking is one of the biggest extinction threats to great apes, especially in DR Congo.

Justice for orphans

We were thrilled when Lola staff got in touch to let me know that Ingende’s captors have been convicted of wildlife trafficking. In this landmark case, these three men have been sentenced to five months in prison and fined $5,000. This is the first time DR Congo authorities have ever imposed criminal penalties for wildlife trafficking.

This outcome is the beginning of justice for orphans like Ingende. It sends a strong message to people involved at every level of the supply chain of the vicious bushmeat and pet trades. These crimes that rob the country of its heritage and push bonobos to the brink of extinction will not go unpunished.