Lukuru Youngsters
Copyright © 2008 by CarolAnn Worsham. All rights reserved.
Who is Dr. Jo. Thompson?
The term “Lukuru Basenji Project” drifted by me several times last year, but I didn’t have a clue as to what this referred until I read a stirring article in the November/December, 2007 Basenji Magazine, written by CarolAnn Worsham. While studying the Bonobo great apes in the Lukuru region under the auspices of the Lukuru Wildlife Research Project, conservation biologist Dr. Jo Thompson became personally interested in finding out more about the little African hunting dogs seen in and around the native villages (Basenjis). I became utterly enchanted with what I read.
Since 1991, Dr. Thompson has worked on the Lukuru Wildlife Research Project, studying and conserving the elusive and largely unknown Bonobo great apes, who share 98% of the same genes as humans. Her work and that of a handful of the work of others has centered in the rain forest which lies between the Congo River on the north and the Kasai River to the south in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire)in central Africa. This is same area as from whence come most of our beloved native Basenjis.
Map of the Democratic Republic of Congo
Five Bonobo studies in the area were listed in an article in the Pan Africa News, 10(2), December 2003: “Salonga National Park, Lui Reserve (Wamba), Lomako, Lukuru (Dr. Thompson) and Lake Tumba.” The very remote Lukuru region where Dr. Thompson is doing most of her work is situated in the southern-most area of the Congo rain forest, south of the Lui Kotal and Solonga National Park.
Director of the independent Lukuru Wildlife Research Project, Dr. Jo Thompson studied for her undergraduate degree in psychology and sociology from Wittenberg University in Ohio. Her Masters Degree in anthropology was earned from the University of Colorado, and her Ph.D. in biological anthropology and primatology was obtained from Oxford University.
In 1991, she began doing fieldwork for her doctorate on the secretive Bonobo great apes in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In 2005 she received a $35,000 Associate Laureate Award from the Rolex Corporation for her work on this Lukuru Wildlife Research Project.
Because of her long years of conservation work in the Lukuru region, local chieftains deeded all of the trees in the region to her, which made her one of the largest owners of virgin forest land in the world and protected the area from the logging industry which would have further diminished the habitat of the Bonobos . She also purchased 34 square kilometers of virgin terrain in the southern half of the Lukuru Wildlife Research Project and created the Basosandja Reserve. She convinced the government to declare these areas a nationally protected area—and then deeded them back to the Congolese people to protect.
Basenjis in Africa
One of the oldest native breeds in existance, Basenjis were primarily used as hunting dogs, independently scouting prey, with gourds filled with seeds tied around their loins to alert the native hunters as to their positions. In a desperately poor country, the largest in Central Africa, Basenjis were prized for their hunting skills, as these dogs kept families fed and alive.
The dogs lived and ran free around the huts in the cleared lands of the small, native villages and often “scrounged” or hunted their own food. Their life expectancy was much shorter than our domesticated pets, as they tended to be infested with parasites and covered with fleas, mites and ticks. There was no such thing as “taking the dogs to the veterinarian.” According to Anne Roche, the average life of a bush Basenji was around six years for this reason.
Terrain in the Lukuru region was described by Dr. Thompson as, “hilly terrain.......consists of irregular forest and grassland mosaic habitat increasing in elevation out of the southern periphery of the topographic Congo Basin.”
Incidentally, the Lukuru region is probably a couple of hundred miles north of the Bandundu Province described in my article interviewing Anne Roche, "Living with Basenjis in Zaire" .)
Lukuru Amisi playing with pygmy goats
Lukuru region of Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire)
Copyright © 2008 by CarolAnn Worsham. All rights reserved.
Lukuru Wildlife
Project’s article in the National Geographic
By 2007, after the fighting had died down in the country, Dr. Jo was able to return to the the Democratic Republic of Congo, escorting a National Geographic crew through the Lukuru region. The National Geographic crew were photographing and writing an interesting article on her work of observing and conserving the Bonobo great apes.
The trip involved many days’ inland walk from the end of roads through dense jungle underbrush, with the aid of native guides and translators. All supplies had to be transported on bicycles, and they had to load everything into small native canoes to ford rivers in the area. (Later in 2007, Dr. Jo and her Lukuru Wildlife Research Project were able to help others clear a small airstrip in the Lukuru region, saving a lot of time in travelling in and out of the area.)
The Lukuru Basenji Project
During the National Geographic session, Dr. Jo spent her free, private time scouting out young, native Basenjis and observing them in their homes with an eye to possibly bringing a few good specimens to the U.S.
Avongara Jenga (age 7), Lukuru MPale and Lukuru Lema (age ca 8 months)
Copyright © 2008 by CarolAnn Worsham. All rights reserved.
“Dr. Jo,” as she is affectionately called, lived in close proximity with the little native Basenjis during all the years of her African conservation activities. As a conservation biologist interested in preservation and wellbeing of all species, she developed a personal interest in these little African hunting dogs and contacted the Yahoo-based e-mail list Basenji_African on May 6, 2006, hoping to create enthusiasm for increasing the desperately small gene pool of imported Basenjis who were accepted into the BCOA Registry (18 original Basenji imports, with eight more imported in the 1980’s).
CarolAnn Worsham responded, and thus began an alliance and adventure to bring back native Lukuru Basenjis.
(A couple of interesting articles were written by Dr. Jo Thompson on the original Basenji foundation stock and why it is critical to increase this stock to keep the breed vital—and about her visits to the Lukuru region to get out the first Basenji, Mopaya. Click on the two articles: Basenji Conservation (pdf) and Lukuru Imports (pdf ).)
With the aid and encouragement of CarolAnn Worsham, Dr. Thompson began initiating efforts to bring a few precious, new, native Basenji blood-stock back from the very remote Lukuru region of the Congo Basin.
Lukuru Amisi trotting, November, 2007, age ca 6 months
Copyright © 2008 by CarolAnn Worsham. All rights reserved.
Bringing out the Basenjis
Dr. Jo’s long association with the natives put her in a unique position to purchase good specimens of Basenjis. So remote is the area that no other white people are in residence, and Basenjis have bred only with other indigenous Basenjis. For those interested in “purity,” this is the “real deal.”
Armed with the Basenji Club of America Basenji breed Standard, Dr. Jo chose young Basenjis on the basis of temperament, conformation, soundness and good health. The first Basenji that she chose was Mopaya (“the first pilgrim from Lukuru”). Through a long series of close calls and red tape, “Paya” arrived in the United States in Chicago and was given over to the outstretched arms of CarolAnn Worsham, having been carried through the jungle in an over-the-shoulder sling made of jungle vines and leaves.
Lukuru MPale, October 2007, age ca 5 months
Copyright © 2008 by CarolAnn Worsham. All rights reserved.
CarolAnn Worsham
and the First Lukuru imports
CarolAnn Worsham read the email Dr. Jo posted to the African Basenji list in 2006 and responded without hesitation. When she got no response, she responded again. She again got no response, so she figured her post must have gotten lost in cyberspace. She responded a third time. (Dr Jo said later that this type of perseverance is what helps Basenjis survive in the jungle, so she felt she just had to respond.)
CarolAnn explained to Dr. Jo how she had worked many years with Beverly Bland of Brushy Run Basenjis (Arizona, USA) breeding Avongara descendants [editor’s note: Avongara is the breeding preface of the Basenjis brought back from Zaire in the 1980’s]. Sensing that breeding coefficients for the Avongaras were getting too high to continue without more founder dogs, CarolAnn felt that Dr Jo and the Lukuru Basenjis appeared to be a Godsend for the Basenji comunity.There are four Lukuru imports to date: After a stay with CarolAnn, Dr Jo Thompson took Lukuru Amisi back with her to Oregon—the only male so far. CarolAnn has the first female, Lukuru Mopaya, and two little girls named Lukuru MPale and Lukuru Lema, daughters of a renowned hunting Basenji.
Lukuru Amisi, October, 2007
Copyright © 2008 by CarolAnn Worsham. All rights reserved.
When Dr Jo found the first import, Lukuru Mopaya, CarolAnn tells the story about how Mopaya strutted right over to Dr. Jo as if to say, “I am going to America!” Mopaya had been very well taken care of and seemed to exhibit social skills to rival a beauty queen.
Dr Jo reported that Amisi seemed to be in very good health when she found him. CarolAnn said that he seems to be a bit of a Casanova and has Dr Jo under his small paw.
CarolAnn relates that little MPale and Lema were not quite so lucky when it came to their circumstances. They had a very shaky start to life, but have bounced back unbelieveably well. They have all passed the OFA eye CERF and will have all testing done as time goes by. Lema had an eye infection and has been administered drops. But other than a few worms, nicks and scrapes…health seems to be very good so far.
According to CarolAnn, the Lukuru dogs have waltzed into her home with great ease. All exhibit social skills and know how to get along easily with modern Basenjis and Avongara dogs
Lukuru
Basenji’s temperaments
“The Lukuru temperaments are laid back, sweet, active, very curious and not a bit skittish,” says CarolAnn. “I noticed when Amisi was here that he seemed to look far off in the distance a lot. It made me think that he was thinking of Africa.”
She further states, “All the Lukuru puppies have seemed to mesh really well with other dogs...knowing exactly what body language to use even with other breeds. This intrigues me, and I watch them constantly with other dogs hoping to learn a lot more about body language.”
As to being on ‘red alert,’ CarolAnn observes,“They are more alert to noises and motions around them, but that may have been just because they were not used to living here from puppyhood.”
Lukuru Lema
Copyright © 2008 by CarolAnn Worsham. All rights reserved.
Observing hunting characteristics, CarolAnn noticed, “Amisi was so fast as a young man that I found several dead birds that I attributed to him. I would see MPale and Lema striking out and catching each other’s necks or tail or whatever almost like a snake strikes. It’s all in play, but they are just so lightning fast.”
As to training, she was pleased to find, “They definitely are more responsive to what I say. I have let them off lead more than I ever would any of my modern Basenjis. I figured they were loose in the jungle with their families in the Lukuru and with Dr Jo walking out of the jungle...and they have done incredibly well with it.”
She further states, “When I worked with them on sits and downs, they were amazing in their attitudes to please (as long as the treat was good!) The Lukuru babies don’t seem to have the independent streak quite as prominently as some of my modern Basenjis have. Comparing them to modern Basenjis and my Avongaras might be a bit unfair, as individually they are all unique as much as they are different.”
As to how they are with children and other people, “The grandkids all love the dogs and each puppy has been wonderful with them. The pups seem to calm down and be more soft and gentle with children...except the 16 year old...he gets treated to them full blast! Five grandkids from 16 years down to 8 months gives them a great test for tolerance. Visitors always get lots of kisses. They act as if they have never met a "stranger".”
Observations of them with other dogs: “The most fun is watching them interact with the other dogs. I think it’s hilarious that Lukuru MPale and Lukuru Lema have actually gotten reserved Avongara Jenga to play like a puppy! Jenga has always been a sweet, wonderful girl, but has never played with any of the other dogs...or me, either. She’s always been the quiet, reserved lady that never got into any trouble. I LOVE it! It’s good for the puppies and great for Jenga!”
Feeding habits: “I have noticed that their metabolism might be a bit lower than my modern Basenjis or my Avongara Basenjis. I have definitely cut back their diets several times because they seem to stay a little ‘chunky monkey’. I figure the Basenjis in the jungle don’t get fed as well as we feed our dogs here in the States and that nature must handle that. I feed a variety of raw foods, with a bit of kibble [Innova Evo or Blue Buffalo]. Even in the first days, I didn’t notice any problems changing foods. They have tolerated everything well.”
Lukuru MPaya as a baby in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Copyright © 2008 by CarolAnn Worsham. All rights reserved.
As far as being around other dogs with food: “At first they did not seem to be fixated on food, but as they grew a bit...food is their main interest! I can still throw a bit of kibble on the floor without them arguing which I could never do with any of my modern Basenjis. (With some Avongaras I can still throw food down in a group without hassle...none of my modern Basenjis could I do that with except when they were small babies.)”
CarolAnn reiterates, “Overall I have been delighted with the Lukuru puppies. Mopaya now seems to be a grown little lady and I can’t find a sweeter girl. She still handles everything as if she were born to it and never seems to be phased by whatever I throw at her. She wagged her tail at the opthamologist and gave the tech a kiss. Amisi practically wagged off the examining table. MPale and Lema were sweet, as always.”
If you
would like to aid the Lukuru Basenji Project
All of the work that Dr. Jo and CarolAnn Worsham have been doing on this Lukuru Basenji Project has been privately funded—a great deal of it from Dr. Jo and CarolAnn’s own personal finances— and from other, interested, private individuals. CarolAnn raffled a hand made quilt as a money making project in late 2007. [Watch for next quilt raffle, too!]
They desperately need more money for the Lukuru Basenji Project to bring back a few more native Basenjis to the U.S. and would be deeply grateful if folks could consider contributing to this effort. (Basenji Companions will send a contribution.)
If you would like to make a financial contribution to this wonderful effort to bring back some excellent specimens of authentic, native Basenjis to improve the health and vigor of the Basenji breed, please consider donating to this cause: CarolAnn Worsham has set up a bank account for the Lukuru Basenji Fund, and donations are gladly accepted for the Lukuru Basenji Fund c/o CarolAnn Worsham, 301 Yocom Rd., Cable, Ohio, 43009, USA. You can also donate by PayPal through CarolAnn Worsham at cworsham@ctcn.net.
The Lukuru Basenjis thank you!
A brief
overview of the country
Straddling the equator in Central Africa, sits the Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly known as Zaire (1968-1971), and before that, known as the Belgian Congo. 60% of the African Congo River basin sits within this country, the Congo River being the second largest river in Africa, second only to the Nile.
The country is slightly less than 1/4 of the land mass of the United States, or 905,567.886 square miles. Bordered on the East by the great lakes and mountains, the entire area is drained by the huge Congo River which curves northward from the south near Lubumbashi to near Kisangani in the north-central region. The river then runs west and south to the capital, Kinshasa, and then out to the sea. This river provides the major access to the interior regions of The Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire). Major portions of the interior of the Congo River basis are considered “rain forests.”
Bounded on the west by Republic of the Congo; the Democratic Republic of Congo is bordered on the south by Zambia and Angola; on the east by Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda; and on the north by Sudan and the Central African Republic.
The Belgian Congo was renamed Zaire in 1960 when independence was won. This hollow victory was followed by five years of tribal warfare and civil unrest. In 1965 General Mobutu took over the country under a military dictatorship. The government was toppled in May of 1997, and very serious fighting with neighboring countries was ushered in, termed “Africa’s World War.” This lasted until around 2002, when Joseph Kabilla was named head of state. He was successful in getting all factions to withdraw from occupation, cease hostilities and set up a government of national unity.
Only about 2% to 3% of the population have any wealth to speak of—mainly in the mineral, metals and gem mining districts in the South. The logging industry has been threatening the rain forests, and thus the habitat of the Bonobos (and possibly the Basenjis). The rest of the population is very, very poor, considered to be one of the poorest nations in Africa. Parts of Congo Basin in central Democratic Republic of Congo include some of the most remote regions on the face of the earth—and that is where our native Basenjis live.
Map of Africa
Article copyright © 2008 by Betsy Polglase.
Photos copyright © 2008 by CarolAnn Worsham.
All rights reserved.