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Bili ForestThe Bili Forest is located in a remote north central region of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa, the former Zaire. The region, east of the Ubangui River near the town of Bili on the Uele River, is very unstable and virtually lawless, due to a lack of governmental services as the country recovers slowly from civil warfare. Human encroachment into the region, other than annual burning of the savannahs, is minimal. A population of great apes living in the Bili Forest has intrigued experts. The forest is inhabited by chimpanzees and the mysterious 'Bili Ape', or 'Bondo mystery ape', but the nearest gorillas and bonobos are hundreds of miles away. The forest comprises a complex mosaic habitat, consisting of savannah, savannah-woodland, regenerating forest and gallery forest. Besides chimpanzees, the area is rich in African fauna typifying both savannah and forest habitats, including: elephants, lions, hyeanas, leopards, giant forest hogs, giant pangolin, baboons, grey-cheeked mangabeys, red-tailed guenons, and buffalo. Initial results from mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis indicate the mystery ape is a chimpanzee (subspecies pan troglodytes schweinfurthii). Scientists believe they are dealing with a very inbred and marginal population, in which even a large number of animals could share identical - or near identical - haplotypes. There is a very serious problem of bush meat poaching in the Bili Forest, affecting the elephant and chimpanzee populations. If the forest's chimpanzees and habitat are to be protected effectively, a serious conservation project is imperative. See AlsoExternal Links
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