Bonobo Moms

Unlike tchimpounga where there are 130 chimps and no room for new arrivals, Lola is doing everything it can to help potential mothers have babies who can help create viable bonobo populations in the wild. Its really fun to see the different maternal styles and of course there is nothing cuter than a baby bonobo. Kalena is among my favorite moms because she lets her baby get away with murder. she also looks like a TV cavewoman.


Ape mothers usually provide for their kids simply by tolerating their theft of food rather than providing it directly (except milk of course). Kalena lets malakai get every little bit as he wrestles it out of her hands before she can bring hand to mouth. Other mothers let their babies cry and even steal food away from them.


I guess its hard to escape Malakai's charm:



Tchilomba is a pretty amazing mother herself. She has a bit of a sad story since she lived in a lab for several years but she certainly has an interesting personality. We never see her eat but she is completely fascinated by all objects. Once during my test she grabbed a stick to reach an out of reach bowl full of bananas. When she got hold of the bowl she tossed all the bananas aside and ran away gleefully having obtained a new bowl.


Even though bonobo mothers have a reputation as being permissive, Tchilomba keeps a close eye on Moi.

He has his freedom but it only goes so far: