Genetic study shows we have 98% same DNA with bonobos. They are our closest cousins! Frans de Waal, a primalogist, stated that bonobos can be and feel compassion, empathy, patience, and kindness. Humans can understand bonbobos facial language, which makes us realize how close we must be to bonobos. Bonobos live in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in Africa, north of the Kasai River, and South of the Congo River. There are 10,000 left in the wild.