Bonobos are magical. Intelligent, self-aware, with an interesting society of powerful women and more sex than war. Unfortunately these beautiful bonobos are threatened by habitat-loss and the bushmeat trade. They’re the most endangered great ape. No one is sure how many are left in the wild, but it could be as few as 5,000. Lola ya Bonobo is a little paradise in the Democratic Republic of Congo where the orphans of the bush meat trade and ex-pets find shelter after the ordeal they’ve been through.

Anne went there to study their language and behaviour. Did you know they have a word for banana?! Science says it, but you have no idea of how much they’re like us until you’ve watched them every day for half a year. It was a privilege to be part of their world for a while. By now some of them have returned to the wild!

While I was there I also got to help out with little Vanga. A two-and-a-half year old baby bonobo who came in broken by life. His parents killed. Unwilling to eat or drink. I took him under my wing. He came back to life. It was an honour to take care of him. I also got to know all other fifty-two really well. Their personalities and quirks, their relations and their preferences. I saw babies being born and unexperienced mothers who never had an example develop their skills.

The other side was getting to know the DR Congo. A complicated country with a turbulent history and ongoing problems, but with warm and friendly people.