COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is celebrating a milestone birth: a male bonobo born on August 11, 2025. The new arrival is the 18th bonobo baby born at the Zoo, marking an important step in global conservation efforts for the endangered species.
The newborn is the first child of Kibibi, a first-time mother and the daughter of Kimia, who was born at the Zoo in 1997. He also represents the fourth generation of his family at the Columbus Zoo — making him the great-grandson of Susie and Jimmy, two beloved bonobos still living at the facility.
Zoo officials report that both Kibibi and her baby are healthy. While Kibibi needed some time to adjust to motherhood, she is now showing strong maternal instincts and care. In bonobo society, males typically remain with their mothers for life, forming close lifelong bonds.
Because of the species’ fission-fusion social structure, the baby’s father will not be confirmed until paternity testing is completed in the coming months.
“Every bonobo birth is vital,” the Zoo noted in its announcement. “Each one contributes to conservation and helps sustain assurance populations to protect this extraordinary species in the wild.”
Bonobos, closely related to chimpanzees and humans, are native to the Democratic Republic of Congo and are considered endangered due to habitat loss and poaching.
