An Associate Laureate of the 2004 Rolex Awards, Jo Thompson was selected for her pioneering efforts to save the bonobo, an endangered ape that dwells only in the Congo Basin region of Africa. During the Congo's war years (1998-2002), Thompson's wildlife project maintainted an active presence within the country. In the five years since she won her Award, she has rebuilt her two research stations, strengthened her working relationships with the local people and published startling data that pave the way toward a uniquely promising strategy for ape conservation.