Population dynamics of wild bonobos (Pan paniscus) at Wamba

We analyzed population dynamics and birth seasonality of wild bonobos at Wa mba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, based on 20 years of observations (1 976-1996). Wamba Bonobo infant mortality is much lower than that reported f or chimpanzees. This seemes to be related to several socioecological charac teristics of bonobos: the use of abundant fruit and herbaceous foods, large r food patch site, female feeding priority and the absence of infanticide. The mean interval between live births of 4.8 years is shorter than those re ported for chimpanzees, and some females simultaneously carried and nursed two successive offspring Mother-offspring conflicts, such as refusal of suc kling attempts and interference with mothers' copulation which are common i n chimpanzees, are rare in Wamba bonobos. A birth peak seems to occur durin g the light rainy season fr om March to May, just after the season with the least rainfall. This timing of births is similar to those reported for chi mpanzee populations, and might benefit both mother and offspring by maximiz ing the amount of time before the next dry season.