Sally Jewell Coxe and Iboko

We have returned from a fantastic weekend in New York City where we attended Groovananda - a musical and yogic benefit for the Bonobo Conservation Initiative (BCI) at Jivamukti Yoga School. The place was hopping with groovy music and dancing - but the highlight, for us hardcore bonobo fans anyway, were the stories from people that have actually spent time with these unique great apes.

Tony Levin, famed musician and bassist to greats such as Peter Gabriel, tried to find the words to describe his experiences playing music with Panbanisha and Kanzi. The stories were awe-inspiring as he told us about their individual intelligences, Kanzi’s ability to hear them speak through solid glass no human could hear through, their complete comprehension of the English language (even with Peter Gabriel’s British accent), their distinct personalities that were seen and heard through the music they created, the baby that sat on Panbanisha’s shoulder throughout their jam session.

The co-founder of BCI, President Sally Jewell Coxe, and Executive Director Michael Hurley, were recognized for their amazing work. Each took a turn showing slides and talking about the state of the DRC and the bonobos. We heard about the incredible impact BCI has had on this war torn country and how the differences have been made by including the entire community in protecting the bonobos and the land. BCI’s work has brought education, health care and work to the Democratic Republic of Congo - in addition to a deep teaching of the benefits of helping the endangered bonobo and their rainforests. Our favorite pictures were of little Iboko, a baby bonobo orphaned by the bushmeat trade. She was rescued by BCI and nursed back to health. She adopted Sally as her mom and the pictures of them snuggled together were beyond precious. The pictures of the land, water and creatures of the DRC - and of its people - were breathtaking. We are so proud to be donating the profits of I’m Lucy to BCI.

We met so many wonderful people and were totally impressed by Jivamukti’s dedication to helping all animals - sheltered cats and dogs, NYC’s carriage horses and bonobos alike.

Thanks everyone!!!

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