Deep in the Congo lives a little-studied group of apes called the bonobos. Like the more-familiar chimpanzees, bonobos are among humans’ closest relatives. But unlike chimps, known for their violent behavior, bonobos are far more peaceful and resolve conflict in an unusual way: by having sex. Much like humans, bonobos have sex not just to procreate, but also for pleasure and politics. The discovery of these gentle apes has fascinated scientists and led them to question our origins and the roots of human nature.

But in 1997, just as research on these elusive apes was underway, civil war broke out in the Congo, and researchers were forced to evacuate immediately. Now NOVA returns to the battleground with scientists who are worried that war and the bush meat industry may have decimated the bonobo population. Instead, what they find gives them hope for the future of the species. The Last Great Ape tells the intimate, emotional story of these amazing apes, and the experiences of the passionate scientists who have followed them closely for so long.

Special DVD features include: materials and activities for educators; a link to the NOVA Web site; scene selections; closed captions; and described video for the visually impaired.

On one DVD5 disc. Region coding: Region 1. Audio: Dolby stereo. Screen format: Letterboxed.

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