Bonobo population dynamics: Past patterns and future predictions for the Lola ya Bonobo population using demographic modelling

Wildlife sanctuaries rescue, rehabilitate, reintroduce and provide life-long care for orphaned and injured animals. Understanding a sanctuary’s population dynamics—patterns in arrival, mortality and projected changes in population size—allows careful planning for future needs. Building on previous work on the population dynamics of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in sanctuaries of the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA; Faust et al. 2011), this chapter extends analyses to the only PASA bonobo sanctuary. Its authors analysed historic demographic patterns and projected future population dynamics using an individual-based demographic model. The population has been growing at 6.7 per cent per year, driven by arrivals of new individuals (mean = 5.5 arrivals per year). Several model scenarios projecting varying arrival rates, releases and breeding scenarios clarify potential future growth trajectories for the sanctuary. This research illustrates how data on historic dynamics can be modelled to inform future sanctuary capacity and management needs.