Training for the second round of BonDiv sites 

In October 2025, we held a training workshop for the new researchers joining the second round of BonDiv field sites. We are pleased to welcome Francesca Grillo and Corisande Abiven, the new BonDiv researchers, who, together with  Steven Muhindo, Martin Bofeko, and Dieu Merci Mpongo (researchers from the first round of BonDiv sites) will lead the three new BonDiv sites.

 

With these three new sites, the BonDiv network now reaches nine research sites, expanding our efforts to study biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics across the diverse landscapes of the bonobo habitat range.

The training took place in Göttingen, at the facilities of German Primate Center (DPZ), where BonDiv co-director Erin Wessling is currently affiliated. The event was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Arcus Foundation.

The main speakers were Paula Dieguez, BonDiv Coordinator, and Erin Wessling, BonDiv Co-Director, with additional support from Erin’s team at DPZ. The training covered a range of topics, including camp life, emergency plans, rules of conduct, use of electronic devices, and data quality control. We also reviewed the full protocols for data and sample collection, accompanied by practical exercises.