A Chimp in the Family: The True Story of Two Infants--One Human, One Chimpanzee--Growing Up Together

by Vince Smith

In 1990, when Vince Smith—currently manager of the Diane Fossey Gorilla Fund's mountain gorilla conservation program— was working as a senior keeper at Chester Zoo in the English countryside, a newborn chimpanzee in his care was abandoned by her mother. Named Sophie, the infant chimp was taken home and hand-reared by Vince and his wife. Six months later another new baby arrived: Oliver, their son. A Chimp in the Family is the compelling and entertaining account of Sophie's life. Vince Smith vividly describes the parallel upbringing of Sophie and Oliver—through her early years with Vince and his family, her traumatic journey back to the zoo and her unsuccessful efforts to socialize with other chimps, her repatriation to Africa and reunion with her human foster family, and her integration in a semi-wild group of chimpanzees. A book both humorous (a family outing with both babies to the local pizzeria) and ultimately heartbreaking, A Chimp in the Family provides fascinating photographs and insights into the nature of our closest-living relatives—as well as the nature of human development.

Genres: Nonfiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published March 28, 2004

Reviews

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

An inherently interesting story, but marred by infelicitous writing.

[Tebel Shaw · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not fond of primates and reject Darwinian trash. DNF.

[Emma Kaufmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazingly sweet and moving story about a zookeeper who hand rears a chimp called Sophie. I can't tell you everything that happens but she really does become part of the families and through many ups and downs they form a lasting bond. The chimp also grows up side by side with Vince's son and that is an adorable story too.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting account of raising a chimp and a baby, what it's really like to live in Africa and deal with insects, wildlife, floods, corrupt political officials, and the politics of chimpanzee refuges. Many sad parts, but many endearing sections as well.

[Claire Aiken · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read it a long time ago, but I thought it was a good book. However, somewhere deep inside of me was telling me it was wrong because you shouldn't keep wild animals as pets...