Description
Book SynopsisIn September 2008 Dorothy, a female chimp in her late forties, died of heart failure at Cameroon's Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center. A photo of Dorothy's funeral went viral after being published in National Geographic. This memoir follows the chimpanzee's life from the time the author met her at Luna Park Hotel in 1999 until her death.
Trade Review"Kindred Beings is both an engrossing African adventure and an inspiring story of how an animal activist has devoted her life to chimpanzees. This fascinating book will forever change how you see chimpanzees-and how you feel about the importance of safeguarding their places on our planet." -- Dr. Marty Becker, "America's Veterinarian" Sheri Speede chose to make a difference in the lives of Jacky, Nama, Dorothy, and dozens of other apes, which says as much about Sheri's commitment as the chimpanzees' inner strength. Sheri ultimately emerged triumphant, perhaps for one simple reason: humanity is not restricted to human beings. -- Douglas Cress, program coordinator of Great Apes Survival Partnership (GRASP) In Cameroon, Dr. Sheri Speede has enabled law enforcement to fight wildlife trafficking by establishing an excellent forest sanctuary where rescued chimpanzees get care and love. Without facilities like hers, animals would suffer lives of abuse or move on in the sordid international trade. Read this book! -- Dr. Shirley McGreal, founder of the International Primate Protection League Sheri Speede's powerful story shows the reader the broad range of personalities seen in chimpanzees, with complex emotional needs, a rich social fabric, and self-awareness. It opens our eyes to the reality that all animals have emotions, and it pleads for an end to animal abuse. -- Marilyn Kroplick, M.D., president of IDA-Africa
