Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
leads to enhanced cooperation and buy-in to later-phase conservation programs. The same
certainly holds true for community development programs. . . . Lack of resources in local
communities should not be equated with lack of knowledge.
Working toward these ideas, Sally and Michael and the BCI team applied for more grants and
continued supporting Vie Sauvage and CREF. At that time, there were a few field research sites for
bonobos, some involving conservation on a small scale, and the Lola ya Bonobo sanctuary in Kin-
shasa, but no large-scale operations aimed at protecting extensive portions of the habitat, with the
exception of Salonga National Park, which had been established by Mobutu in 1970. The Congolese
wanted support for bonobo conservation, and Dr. Mwanza and Albert had demonstrated what they
could achieve with minimal funding. When Sally's sister sold a family house in Maine, Sally spent
her portion of the money to develop Kokolopori. Not long after, Michael's mother died, and he put
his inheritance into BCI.
Sally decided that supporting Mwanza and bringing recognition and funding back to CREF had
to be at the core of BCI's strategy if they were to encourage a Congolese movement for conser-
vation. This would create teams of scientists who could do the work necessary to help commu-
nity leaders establish reserves. But the process of transforming BCI into a full-fledged conservation
NGO was grueling to say the least, and even as they received donations and began projects, they
applied for additional grants to keep CREF and Albert working. Determined not to break the mo-
mentum of the Congolese conservationists developing protected areas, Sally and Michael ceased
paying themselves. They financed Albert's trips up the river with supplies and found further train-
ing for CREF researchers so that they were well versed in the best techniques for surveys, among
other conservation practices.
Eventually, though, more substantial grants began coming in, and establishing the Bonobo
Peace Forest in one of the poorest, most remote regions on earth began to seem possible despite the
odds.
