But the prognosis is not good for our kissin' cousins. Bonobos are an extremely endangered species. In the past few years, things have gotten even worse for the bonobos. Long considered sacred by local villagers, hunting them was forbidden. But as Mobuto perpetrated the slow devastation of your country, far too many people have gone hungry.
Hunger leads to desperation.
Some hunt and kill bonobos for food, despite the ancient prohibition, and they haven't stopped. Some lay traps and snares for other animals that bonobos fall into. Some even capture infant bonobos to sell as pets, though these babies almost always die quickly due to malnourishment and inadequate living conditions. If this keeps up, there will be no bonobos left in just a few years. As long as Mobuto was in charge, there was very little hope.