Habitat use and ranging of wild bonobos (Pan paniscus) at Wamba

The relationship between vegetation and ranging patterns of wild bonobos at Wamba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, was examined. Via Landsat data, w e distinguished three types of vegetation-dry forest, swamp forest, and dis turbed forest-at Wamba. The home ranges of the study groups changed conside rably from year to year, due mainly to intergroup relationships. The popula tion density of each group varied between 1.4 and 2.5 individuals per km(2) and was lowest during a period of population increase. Home ranges consist ed mainly of dry forest. The bonobos used dry forest more frequently than t he other forest types, though they also used swamp and disturbed forest alm ost every day. The latter types of forest seemed to be important resources for the bonobos, owing to the abundant herbaceous plants that are rich in p rotein and constantly available, The bonobos tended to use dry forest more frequently in the rainy season than in the relatively dry season, probably because the favored fruits in the dry forest were mostly available in the r ainy season. There was no seasonal difference in the size of the daily rang ing area.