Saving the Bonobos in Congo

May 13, 2026, 11:19
AfricaEnvironment

Introduction

Bonobos are apes in Congo. Their numbers are going down. People are trying to help them.

Main Body

Bonobos are very smart. They are like humans. Females lead the group. They are kind to each other. Many bonobos are dying. In the 1980s, there were 100,000 bonobos. Now there are only 20,000. People hunt them for meat. One place helps them. It is called Lola ya Bonobo. This place takes care of baby bonobos. The government also wants to pay people to protect the forest.

Conclusion

Bonobos are in danger. We must stop hunting and protect their homes to save them.

Learning

The Power of 'There are'

In the text, we see: "There were 100,000 bonobos" and "Now there are only 20,000."

Use There are to say that things exist.

How to use it:

  • Present (Now): There are →\rightarrow There are many apes in Congo.
  • Past (Before): There were →\rightarrow There were more bonobos in the 1980s.

Describing Qualities

Look at these short sentences:

  • Bonobos are smart.
  • They are kind.

Pattern: [Thing] + are + [Word that describes it].

If you want to say something is similar to something else, use like:

  • They are like humans.

Action Words for Saving

To reach A2, you need words for helping. The text uses:

  • Protect (Keep safe) →\rightarrow Protect the forest.
  • Save (Stop from dying) →\rightarrow Save the bonobos.
  • Take care of (Look after) →\rightarrow Take care of baby bonobos.

Vocabulary Learning

bonobos
A type of ape that lives in the Congo
Example:The bonobos in Congo are very friendly.
apes
Large monkeys that can walk on two legs
Example:Apes are often seen in zoos.
Congo
A country in Africa where bonobos live
Example:The Congo has many wild animals.
numbers
A count of how many bonobos there are
Example:The numbers of bonobos are going down.
going
Moving or decreasing
Example:The number of bonobos is going down.
down
In a lower place or amount
Example:The population is going down.
people
Human adults
Example:People are trying to help them.
trying
Attempting to do something
Example:People are trying to help them.
help
To give assistance
Example:We can help by donating.
smart
Intelligent or clever
Example:Bonobos are very smart.
humans
People like us
Example:Humans can learn from bonobos.
females
Female bonobos
Example:Females lead the group.
lead
To be in charge
Example:Females lead the group.
group
A collection of bonobos
Example:The group is very close.
kind
Friendly and caring
Example:They are kind to each other.
each
Every single one
Example:Each bonobo is unique.
other
The remaining ones
Example:They help each other.
dying
Losing life
Example:Many bonobos are dying.
1980s
The decade from 1980 to 1989
Example:In the 1980s, there were 100,000 bonobos.
100,000
One hundred thousand
Example:In the 1980s, there were 100,000 bonobos.
now
At this time
Example:Now there are only 20,000.
only
Just, nothing more
Example:Now there are only 20,000.
hunt
To search for animals to kill
Example:People hunt them for meat.
meat
Food from animals
Example:People hunt them for meat.
place
A location
Example:Lola ya Bonobo is a place that helps them.
helps
Assists
Example:One place helps them.
called
Named
Example:It is called Lola ya Bonobo.
Lola
Name of a place
Example:Lola ya Bonobo is a sanctuary.
ya
Informal "yes"
Example:Lola ya Bonobo is a sanctuary.
takes
Holds or receives
Example:It takes care of baby bonobos.
care
Attention and help
Example:It takes care of baby bonobos.
baby
A young bonobo
Example:It takes care of baby bonobos.
government
The people who run a country
Example:The government also wants to pay people.
pay
To give money
Example:The government wants to pay people.
protect
To keep safe
Example:They want to protect the forest.
forest
A large area of trees
Example:They want to protect the forest.
danger
Risk of harm
Example:Bonobos are in danger.
stop
To end an action
Example:We must stop hunting.
hunting
The act of killing animals
Example:We must stop hunting.
homes
Places where bonobos live
Example:Protect their homes.
save
To keep from danger
Example:We must save them.