Bonobo Videos – A One-of-a-Kind Experience!

Make today unforgettable with a personalized 45–60 second video crafted just for you or someone you love – featuring the Ape Initiative team and bonobo(s)!

Ape Initiative is the world’s only bonobo research center, and this is a rare behind-the-scenes experience that few will ever have the chance to see. The bonobos are recognized and adored by audiences around the world and your video will feature one of these celebrated residents – making it truly one-of-a-kind.

Whether you’re celebrating a partner, a best friend, a long-distance loved one, or sending encouragement to someone who needs it, we will craft a video that feels personal and includes a special bonobo moment captured during routine enrichment, training, or husbandry sessions. Bonobos always choose whether to participate, so each video captures a genuine, unscripted interaction.

Choose your experience:

Bonobo Greeting Video – $100

• 45–60 seconds

• Personalized message from staff

• Snapshot into the bonobos’ day-to-day activities

• Genuine, voluntary participation

Bonobo Behind-the-Scenes Experience – $175

• 60–90 seconds

• Everything in the Greeting Video

• One behind-the-scenes element: an enrichment surprise, husbandry training session, or foraging activity

• Extended staff narration and personalization

Because these videos are filmed during routine care sessions, only a limited number can be created at a time – making each one a truly exclusive experience.

This meaningful gift doesn’t just make someone’s day – it also directly supports the highest quality care for the bonobos at Ape Initiative and supports our conservation mission.

Terms & Conditions: Bonobo Videos

By making a donation for a personalized video, you agree to the following terms and conditions:

1. Bonobo Participation & Content

No Individual Guarantee: While we celebrate the unique personalities of our residents, we cannot guarantee that a specific bonobo will appear in your video. Selection is based on the bonobos' choice to participate, as well as their daily schedule.

Natural Behavior: These videos capture our bonobos "as-is." The content of the video will reflect the bonobos' natural actions and enrichment activities at the time of filming.

Messaging Restrictions: Ape Initiative reserves the right to decline or edit any personalization requests that include inappropriate language, hate speech, or content that conflicts with our mission of conservation and education.

2. Delivery & Technical Details

Format: Videos will be delivered as an unlisted YouTube link sent to the email address provided at the time of checkout.

Privacy: While "unlisted" means the video will not appear in public search results, please be aware that anyone with the specific URL can view the video.

Timeline: To allow time for filming and editing, videos must be requested at least 48 hours before the desired delivery date. Ape Initiative cannot guarantee delivery for requests made with less than 48 hours’ notice.

Technical Support: If you experience issues accessing your link, please contact us at research@apeinitiative.org.

3. Usage & Rights

Non-Commercial Use: These videos are provided for personal, non-commercial use only. You may share the link with friends or post it on personal social media, but the footage may not be used for advertising, resale, or commercial broadcast.

Ownership: Ape Initiative retains all intellectual property rights and ownership of the video footage.

4. Legal & Compliance

Minor Recipients (COPPA): To comply with YouTube’s "Made for Kids" regulations, you must disclose if the video recipient is under the age of 18. This allows us to properly designate the video during the upload process.

Non-Refundable Donation: As this video is a thank-you token for a charitable contribution, all donations are non-refundable.