top of page

Meet Lutula

teal block

Gender:

Origin:

Arrival Date:

Age at Arrival:

Surrogate Mama:

Fun Facts:

Female

Lodja, Sankuru Province

March 18th, 2018

3 years

Peguy

Lutula is playful and outgoing; she loves inventing new games!

A young bonobo scratches their head and looks at the camera, while being carried by a caretaker at Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary.
Introducing Lutula

Loveable Lutula graduated from the nursery in the summer of 2021, along with her best buddy Balangala. They joined the older bonobos in Group 1 and we can’t wait to see them grow up together.  Lutula is very playful and social, a friend to everyone, and has many leadership qualities. This is an amazing change from where she began.

A baby bonobo sits with a smiling expression at Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary.
A baby bonobo lays on the lap of their caretaker at Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary.
Her Journey

Lutula arrived at the sanctuary in February 2018 after her family was killed by poachers in the wild. When we rescued her from the wildlife trade in Kinshasa, she was in very bad condition. Malnourished, underweight, and frightened, little Lutula would have died if she had not come to us. Thankfully, with the care of our veterinary team, and the love of her new surrogate mother Peguy, Lutula slowly recovered. 

Growing Into a Leader

Today, she is almost unrecognizable compared to the shy little girl we first met. Lutula is very close to her adopted mother Peguy and the two will always have a special relationship. She’s incredibly outgoing and loves to eat - so much so that the staff have teasingly started to refer to her as “The Foodmonster!” Lutula is very playful, and is always inventing new games. 

​

One of her favorite games is practicing building nests on the ground, which is a skill she will need as an adult in the wild. She loves little babies, and can be counted on to befriend the shy new arrivals. We’re grateful to have Lutula as part of our family at Lola and proud of how she has blossomed. Stay tuned as she grows up and becomes a charismatic leader at Lola! 

Two baby bonobos hold hands as their human caretakers watch, at Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary.

At Lola ya Bonobo in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), we have a team of caregivers for rescued bonobos. Meet other Bonobos Omandja, Balangala, Diyoko, Tshimbulu, Lutula, Semendwa, Lolabu, Loto, Ikela, Maya, Bola, Owila, Ikoto, Lenda, Lombo.

To join our mission to save lives and Rain forest please Donate here.

Find out more about Lutula on our social media!

A young bonobo being held by a caretaker at Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary.
Surrogate mothers / caretakers with orphaned baby bonobos at Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary.
bottom of page