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Among Chimpanzees: Field Notes from the Race to Save Our Endangered Relatives
Foreword by Jane Goodall
A former student and colleague of Jane Goodall shares stories of chimps and their heroes, and takes readers on a journey to save man’s closest relative.
Unbeknownst to much of the public, chimps are in censuses show them to be extinct in four African countries and nearly so in ten others. A large percentage of the remaining populations live in unprotected, increasingly fragmented forests.
When Nancy Merrick learned these startling facts in 2009, she decided it was past time to discover the extent to which chimpanzees are at risk across Africa and what can be done. Merrick had begun working with primates in 1972 as a young field assistant in Jane Goodall’s famous Gombe camp. Like the rest of the world at the time, she was swept up in the excitement of discovering the remarkable world of chimpanzees—their ability to fashion tools, their dazzling intelligence, and their complex relationships and societies. From that moment on, her human-centered worldview shifted, and she became a devoted advocate for our closest genetic relatives.
When Merrick returns to Africa decades later, she’s alarmed by how much has changed. Human activity, such as agriculture and logging, has encroached on natural habitats throughout equatorial Africa, endangering chimpanzees, gorillas, and bonobos. In an effort to understand what we can do to save great apes, Merrick connects with primatologists and conservationists who are trying to protect the last great forests. Visits to some of Africa’s parks, sanctuaries, and expanding agricultural areas reveal the urgency of the problems and the inspiration of the people leading the search for solutions. Along the way, Merrick demonstrates that the best hope for chimps and other great apes lies in connecting conservation to humanitarian efforts, ensuring a healthy future for animals and humans alike.
Among Chimpanzees is at once an inspiring chronicle of Merrick’s personal search to learn how chimps are faring across Africa and in captivity, a crucial eyewitness account of a very critical period in their existence, and a rousing call for us to join the efforts to be a voice for the chimpanzees, before it’s too late.
A former student and colleague of Jane Goodall shares stories of chimps and their heroes, and takes readers on a journey to save man’s closest relative.
Unbeknownst to much of the public, chimps are in censuses show them to be extinct in four African countries and nearly so in ten others. A large percentage of the remaining populations live in unprotected, increasingly fragmented forests.
When Nancy Merrick learned these startling facts in 2009, she decided it was past time to discover the extent to which chimpanzees are at risk across Africa and what can be done. Merrick had begun working with primates in 1972 as a young field assistant in Jane Goodall’s famous Gombe camp. Like the rest of the world at the time, she was swept up in the excitement of discovering the remarkable world of chimpanzees—their ability to fashion tools, their dazzling intelligence, and their complex relationships and societies. From that moment on, her human-centered worldview shifted, and she became a devoted advocate for our closest genetic relatives.
When Merrick returns to Africa decades later, she’s alarmed by how much has changed. Human activity, such as agriculture and logging, has encroached on natural habitats throughout equatorial Africa, endangering chimpanzees, gorillas, and bonobos. In an effort to understand what we can do to save great apes, Merrick connects with primatologists and conservationists who are trying to protect the last great forests. Visits to some of Africa’s parks, sanctuaries, and expanding agricultural areas reveal the urgency of the problems and the inspiration of the people leading the search for solutions. Along the way, Merrick demonstrates that the best hope for chimps and other great apes lies in connecting conservation to humanitarian efforts, ensuring a healthy future for animals and humans alike.
Among Chimpanzees is at once an inspiring chronicle of Merrick’s personal search to learn how chimps are faring across Africa and in captivity, a crucial eyewitness account of a very critical period in their existence, and a rousing call for us to join the efforts to be a voice for the chimpanzees, before it’s too late.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
2 people are currently reading
671 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 15, 2014
It was interesting to glance through this one soon after finishing
We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves
by Karen Joy Fowler; it was a good reminder of how playful chimps are, and how complex and human-like their relationships can be.
Merrick was a field assistant for Jane Goodall in the 1970s, when she was a Stanford University student. In her work with the chimps of Gombe, in Tanzania, she often came uncomfortably close to human conflict, too (war and genocide in neighboring Rwanda and Uganda).
Returning in 2008 for a visit with her family, she noticed how much worse the situation was for chimpanzees, even after just four decades. Habitat destruction due to human population growth, bush meat, and medical research labs: the prospects are grim for one of our closest relatives.
Merrick was a field assistant for Jane Goodall in the 1970s, when she was a Stanford University student. In her work with the chimps of Gombe, in Tanzania, she often came uncomfortably close to human conflict, too (war and genocide in neighboring Rwanda and Uganda).
Returning in 2008 for a visit with her family, she noticed how much worse the situation was for chimpanzees, even after just four decades. Habitat destruction due to human population growth, bush meat, and medical research labs: the prospects are grim for one of our closest relatives.
June 5, 2014
I didn't realize how the chimpanzees were so close to extinction in some areas of the world. They seem to be very intelligent animals that deserve to be loved and left alone.
This book opened my eyes to how smart the chimps really are. Thank you Jane Goodall and Nancy Merrick for loving these amazing animals. We need more people like them that really care about them.
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
This book opened my eyes to how smart the chimps really are. Thank you Jane Goodall and Nancy Merrick for loving these amazing animals. We need more people like them that really care about them.
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
May 13, 2015
Well written and very informative; in fact, quite the eye-opener. While I confess to not being extremely fond of chimpanzees, this book demonstrates they are actually more "humane" than we are. Got a bit bogged down toward the end with the names of so many organizations and their acronyms. And have to disagree with all the proposed solutions to help save chimp habitat, as these will only be a temporary fix. Population control in Africa is the only permanent solution, but most wildlife researchers seem to avoid that discussion.
November 27, 2014
I really enjoyed this book and found I not only went on a journey with the author, but I also learned about geography, culture, animal studies, and most of all HOPE - hope for the Chimps and Gorillas and hope for man's future.
March 19, 2019
Interesting information but very repetitive. This is a short book that probably could have been even shorter.
October 2, 2023
A gripping first hand account and history of the endangered chimpanzees of Africa. I just came across this book in an independent bookstore shelf deciding to give it a read as monkeys, chimps, and gorillas have held my heart since childhood. So worth the read. It covers the background of primate wildlife protection work started by Dr Jane Goodall and many others. Then it covers the more recent (2008 up to 2014) developments ending with a call to action. The entire book is sprinkled with stories of specific chimps and their offspring which bring everything to life.
I intent to pick up Walking with Gorillas by Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka next for a recent update to the plight of African primates (just published March 2023).
I intent to pick up Walking with Gorillas by Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka next for a recent update to the plight of African primates (just published March 2023).
May 24, 2015
In a cleverly constructed work that alternates between telling of present conditions and relating her own past personal experiences, author Dr. Merrick presents a warmly told book explaining the extensive dangers facing chimpanzees and other great apes as their populations dwindle to critically low numbers. In Among Chimpanzees we are introduced to a number fascinating characters, whether they be chimps she observed and documented as a college student for Jane Goodall, other eminent scientists, public figures, or tourists who fell in love with a continent and became guardian activists by default. In many ways this book is as much about people as it is about our nearest related species. As such, we do not learn solely about chimp survival in this book. We also aware of how intertwined the plight and future of these wonderful animals is with that the stressed and impoverished populations that compete with them for land and resources. To help one survive, we must also help the other.
While there is no room to doubt the severity of the pressure great apes are under, this is not a book focused on prophesying doom and gloom. Dr. Merrick also explains what programs are working, making a positive difference in the lives of chimps and humans, and she outlines steps that still need to be taken to maintain viable populations of chimpanzees. Towards the end there is a wonderful outline of actions individuals can do to become more educated and help stem the tide of species destruction.
(I read and reviewed this book after winning a copy of it in a drawing.)
While there is no room to doubt the severity of the pressure great apes are under, this is not a book focused on prophesying doom and gloom. Dr. Merrick also explains what programs are working, making a positive difference in the lives of chimps and humans, and she outlines steps that still need to be taken to maintain viable populations of chimpanzees. Towards the end there is a wonderful outline of actions individuals can do to become more educated and help stem the tide of species destruction.
(I read and reviewed this book after winning a copy of it in a drawing.)
August 29, 2015
I greatly enjoyed the first part of the book that told the story of the author's personal history of encounters and studies of the great apes in Africa, working with the great Jane Goodall to help give sanctuary and protect these majestic animals. The author is obviously passionate about these animals and the fact they have been notoriously mistreated and are now facing possible extinction. The second part of the book talks about how dire the situation in Africa is and what people around the world are doing to try to remedy or slow this situation. The author even details what she believes each individual person can do to help this situation. If we all do our part, there may be a chance to make a difference. I think it's great this author has done her part and has written this book to raise awareness and as a call to action for others to do the same. Thank you for this copy via Library Thing.
May 26, 2015
I received a copy of Among Chimpanzees via a GoodReads giveaway.
Nancy Merrick explains the plight of the (very endangered) chimpanzee population through personal anecdotes and profiles of the amazing individuals who are working to help save them. Although it's a complicated topic -- more than just the lives of great apes is at stake, there are very real, very pressing human concerns involved too -- she manages to break the issues into digestible chapters that provide sobering details hand-in-hand with engaging stories. The penultimate chapter of the book focuses on actions that we (those of us outside Africa and for whom the issue seems too big and daunting) can do that will help -- everything from sharing stories on social media to watching our consumer habits to volunteering with sanctuaries.
Nancy Merrick explains the plight of the (very endangered) chimpanzee population through personal anecdotes and profiles of the amazing individuals who are working to help save them. Although it's a complicated topic -- more than just the lives of great apes is at stake, there are very real, very pressing human concerns involved too -- she manages to break the issues into digestible chapters that provide sobering details hand-in-hand with engaging stories. The penultimate chapter of the book focuses on actions that we (those of us outside Africa and for whom the issue seems too big and daunting) can do that will help -- everything from sharing stories on social media to watching our consumer habits to volunteering with sanctuaries.
August 9, 2014
A few sections of this book were interesting and intriguing, but many sections were flat and uninteresting. It was not as well done as Merrick's mentor and fellow writer, Jane Goodall. I was unaware of the near extinction of the wild Chimpanzees and wanted to read more about the chimps rather than the people around them.
July 19, 2015
[I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.]
A good, though not outstanding book about a major mammal species that, for the most part would greatly benefit from us NOT interacting with it (no matter how much they may be our "relatives").
A good, though not outstanding book about a major mammal species that, for the most part would greatly benefit from us NOT interacting with it (no matter how much they may be our "relatives").
June 17, 2014
I'll admit that I'm a little biased, but I do love this book. It's about chimps and it's about people, and the messages are right on target. Definitely recommend reading!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews