Bonobos (Pan paniscus) live in the forests located centrally in
the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire). Bonobo
habitat lies in the Congo Basin. This area is located south of
an arc formed by the Congo River (formerly the Zaire River) and
its headwater, the Lualaba River, and north of the Kasai Rver.
(Kano, 1982; Kano, 1983; Kano, 1992) Within the Congo Basin,
bonobos inhabit several vegetation types. The area generally is
classified as tropical rainforest; however, local agriculture
and areas reverted to forest from agriculture (“young” and “aged
secondary forest”) are intermingled. Species composition,
height, and density of trees are different in each, yet all are
utilized by bonobos. In addition to the forested areas, swamp
forests opening into marsh-grassland areas occur, which are also
utilized. Foraging occurs in each type of habitat, while
sleeping occurs in forested areas. Some bonobo populations may
have a preference to sleep in relatively small (15 to 30 m tall)
trees, particularly th