Tragedy of the Commons, and Genital Handshakes
Interesting story from CNN, on bonobos.
Excerpt:
The animals are known for greeting rival groups with genital handshakes and sensual body rubs. Bonobo spats are swiftly settled -- often with a French kiss and a quick round of sex.
Despite all the sex, however, female bonobos give birth to a single infant only once every five years, making the species especially vulnerable.
The bonobo, or pan paniscus, is native only to the vast rain forest in this huge central African nation, living high off the ground in treetop nests.
As few as 5,000 may now remain in Congo, down from an estimated 100,000 in 1984, said Ino Guabini, a primatologist with the World Wildlife Fund.
And:
"There is no question that bonobos are seriously threatened," Guabini said, speaking over a shrill forest symphony of birds, animals and insects. "We need urgent measures or there is no way we can protect the species."
But for poor villagers, bonobos can be lucrative business, with much of the meat heading for expensive, clandestine meals at restaurants in the cities.
One bonobo can earn $200 for Richard Ipaka, a 50-year-old part-time poacher who lives in the provincial capital, Mbandaka.
"That's enough money for two months," he said.
Like many Congolese, he said he did not know bonobos are found in the wild only in his country. And like many others, he was skeptical that the ape is endangered.
"Our ancestors have been eating bonobos for centuries. How could they disappear?" Ipaka said.
But the peace-loving bonobos are increasingly difficult to sight, and not just because they're good at hiding, suspended from the high branches of trees or swiftly traversing the lattice of thick, muddy roots strewn over the forest floor.
Interesting common pool resource problem. Suppose the bonobo is worth $200 dead to me, and $300 alive. But if I don't kill the bonobo and sell the meat, I think you will. So we get a PD problem, with each potential hunter fearing the sucker's payoff of $0 if they don't hunt.
ATSRTWT
(And, if you don't know what ATSRTWT means, check here....)
(NOD to the lovely and talented JEB, at UNC)
Excerpt:
The animals are known for greeting rival groups with genital handshakes and sensual body rubs. Bonobo spats are swiftly settled -- often with a French kiss and a quick round of sex.
Despite all the sex, however, female bonobos give birth to a single infant only once every five years, making the species especially vulnerable.
The bonobo, or pan paniscus, is native only to the vast rain forest in this huge central African nation, living high off the ground in treetop nests.
As few as 5,000 may now remain in Congo, down from an estimated 100,000 in 1984, said Ino Guabini, a primatologist with the World Wildlife Fund.
And:
"There is no question that bonobos are seriously threatened," Guabini said, speaking over a shrill forest symphony of birds, animals and insects. "We need urgent measures or there is no way we can protect the species."
But for poor villagers, bonobos can be lucrative business, with much of the meat heading for expensive, clandestine meals at restaurants in the cities.
One bonobo can earn $200 for Richard Ipaka, a 50-year-old part-time poacher who lives in the provincial capital, Mbandaka.
"That's enough money for two months," he said.
Like many Congolese, he said he did not know bonobos are found in the wild only in his country. And like many others, he was skeptical that the ape is endangered.
"Our ancestors have been eating bonobos for centuries. How could they disappear?" Ipaka said.
But the peace-loving bonobos are increasingly difficult to sight, and not just because they're good at hiding, suspended from the high branches of trees or swiftly traversing the lattice of thick, muddy roots strewn over the forest floor.
Interesting common pool resource problem. Suppose the bonobo is worth $200 dead to me, and $300 alive. But if I don't kill the bonobo and sell the meat, I think you will. So we get a PD problem, with each potential hunter fearing the sucker's payoff of $0 if they don't hunt.
ATSRTWT
(And, if you don't know what ATSRTWT means, check here....)
(NOD to the lovely and talented JEB, at UNC)
posted by Mungowitz at 11:12 AM
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