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ENDANGERED SPECIES: THE BONOBO EXAMPLE
In the evolutionary arms race, the human brain has become the ultimate weapon. Humans can and do use cognitive powers to smash the defences of practically all species, which cannot evolve counter-defences against humans fast enough. Consequently, wherever humans show up, species become endangered or extinct. Take the example of the bonobo.
Aah, the peace-loving bonobo, formerly known as the pygmy chimp, or jungle hippie. Wild bonobos live only in the Congo. When conflict arises within a group of bonobos, they react by having sex. Lots and lots of sex, including non-vanilla sex. They’re famous for it. Unlike chimpanzees, bonobos seldom fight or kill. Mostly they seek peace, love (i.e., sex), and social happiness.
Humans routinely hunt bonobos and eat them. "Bushmeat," it's called. Consequently, the bonobo is now an endangered species.
The bonobo population has dwindled to fewer than 50,000 in the wild (from perhaps 100,000 in 1980). If humans succeed in wiping out the bonobo, the jungle hippie will have the distinction of being the first great ape to suffer the fate of the passenger pigeon.