April 09, 2009

Little Known Wild Animals: Heard about Bonobos?

In the first of my new series of shows where I'll introduce you to some of the world's most remarkable animals that remain largely unknown, you'll hear about Bonobos, one of the great Apes. Their nature, characteristics and family lifestyle will fascinate, endear and startle you when you realize how much we have in common with them and learning about the similarities between their sexuality and ours - may come as a real surprise to you.

Episode Segments:

The Basics of Bonobos, Part One Susan talks with one of the worlds top Primatologists, Dr. Frans B. M. de Waal, to learn about one of the most interesting animals youve never heard of: Bonobos, one of the great Apes. He explains that while bonobos look similar to chimpanzees, bonobos are significantly different and have many characteristics in common with humans.
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The Basics of Bonobos, Part Two Susan and Dr. de Waal talk about the sexual behavior of bonobos and its similarities with humans. They also discuss the areas of intelligence and behavior that bonobos share with humans. Bonobos are highly endangered and are native to the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is a struggling and somewhat unstable African nation.
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The Basics of Bonobos, Part Three Susan and Dr. de Waal talk about behavioral research that has been done with bonobos, which has revealed surprising intelligence. They also use many human-like methods of communication like facial expressions and vocalizations. Dr. de Waal also talks about the uncertain long-term outlook for the species.
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Links to Related Websites:

Look While You Listen! Visit the Wild About Pets official web site and view the pictures Susan and her guest(s) are discussing.

Guest(s) Appearing on this Episode

Frans De Waal De Waal Dr. Frans B. M. de Waal is a Dutch-born ethologist/biologist known for his work on the social intelligence of primates. His first book, Chimpanzee Politics (1982) compared the schmoozing and scheming of chimpanzees involved in power struggles with that of human politicians. Ever since, de Waal has drawn parallels between primate and human behavior, from peacemaking and morality to culture. His scientific work has been published in hundreds of technical articles in journals such as Science, Nature, Scientific American, and outlets specialized in animal behavior. De Waal is also editor or co-editor on nine scientific volumes. His popular books - translated into fifteen languages - have made him one of the world's most visible primatologists. His latest books are Our Inner Ape (2005, Riverhead) and Primates & Philosophers (2006, Princeton). De Waal is C. H. Candler Professor in the Psychology Department of Emory University and Director of the Living Links Center at the Yerkes National Primate Center, in Atlanta, Georgia. He has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences (US), the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences. Time selected him in 2007 as one of the Worlds’ 100 Most Influential People today. Click here to visit his website