When Life Gives You Lemurs

by Tim Husband, Deborah Kane (primary_contributor)

A story of courage, generosity and the tender power of animals to heal humans.

Tim Husband was born into a Jehovah's Witness family who spent their weekends delivering God's Word. Struggling to fit into this orthodox community, he found refuge in the bush, collecting and caring for injured animals.

At fourteen, Tim was thrown out of home by his father and the church elders. He was taken in by the owner of the local zoo, and in exchange for a bed and food, Tim spent the next ten years caring for the wild animals. Patiently observing these exotic animals gave Tim his first true sense of family. He slowly enriches their lives by making their habitats closer to those found in the wild.

Tim is one of a handful of international specialists known for their expertise in animal care. He has directed, designed and curated at some of the best-known zoos in the world, building a reputation as an exotic animal whisperer.

Genres: Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

Published April 15, 2025

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remarkable story!

[Gemma Cugaly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A colleague gave me this book to read and at the time I had no idea who Tim was. What an amazing story. Not only was his recount of his personal life raw, but you could see through his writing just how much passion he had towards animals, conservation and preserving ecosystems. The last chapter really struck a chord - “animals appear to only ever behave selfishly if their natural environment is out of balance, which generally tends to be because of human activity. Humans as a species by contrast seem to live their lives apart from the ecological environments that sustain them. We are a devastatingly invasive species that has destroyed countless of the earths vast ecologies. We are a species singularly consumed with our own trajectory, tirelessly congratulating ourselves on our own success.” Husband articulates so well how important it is to become interconnected with our natural world. He has a big heart and we should all be a bit more like him.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Life Gives You Lemurs is a deep dive into the life of Tim Husband - the good, the bad and the extremely devastating ugly.
However, the fact that Tim has survived all that he has, with strength and compassion, is truly a testimony to him, and those that love and support him.

To me, these quotes speak volumes:
"Humans as a species, by contrast, seem to live their lives apart from the ecological environments that sustain them. We are a devastatingly invasive species that has destroyed countless of the earth's vast ecologies, and has the unique ability to destroy its own kind. And if that isn't frightening enough, we are a species singularly consumed with our own trajectory, tirelessly congratulating ourselves on our own success."
"I believe the natural world is a lot more interconnected than we could possibly imagine, and that should we, as a species, find the humility to look for meaning sideways, then we might find a new sense of belonging that isn't solely measured by status, religion, wealth or nation - or any of their various combinations - but is, first and foremost, a connection with the earth and all its inhabitants."

A strong point for less human race, and more human kind.
Thank you for sharing your story, Tim.

[Sara Chesterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written book that touched my heart and was impossible to put down. It gives fascinating insight into the workings of zoos and the motivations of the people running them.

Tim’s life work – making zoos places for the conservation and true and wholistic care of animals is a fascinating read. The trauma he experiences at the hands of humans as a young boy and later in life is confronting, yet the story and Tim’s work show how compassion and care for others – human and animal - can be the way forward through intensely difficult times and the way we interact with animals - both as individuals and as a species - sheds light onto our own humanity and human behaviour.

Deborah’s writing is refreshingly original and clear allowing Tim’s voice to shine through a story which I will always treasure having read. It is an inspiring book about human resilience that flows easily despite being about some hard-hitting topics. I highly recommend this book.

[Nick Iwan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its a slow, reasonable read and I always appreciate a good zero to hero story, but I just don’t think zoo’s are the answer to genuine conservation. Moving animals from South Africa to the Saudi desert and needing sprinklers during the day to keep them cool is inhumane, and the thought of caged zoos being a facility ‘to ignite kids hearts and minds’ is a weird concept.
Large land areas which allow animals to rehab when sick and injured etc are key, but only when the intention is to release them back into their natural habitat.
No matter the amount of enrichment initiatives they put into these zoos. It will never be home.

[Marguerite · Rating 5 out of 5]

could have been longer!

What a brave and inspiring book. Well done Team Tim/Deb! Tim.s interview on Five of My Life and of course had to download the book immediately. Tim’s personal story is one of survival, trauma, strength and friendship. I loved reading about his relationship with Wendy, and with the animals and zoo workers. The establishment of zoos from the ground up reminded me of Gerald Darrel’s zoo books. There is so much improvement in animal management and conservation since those days, but still the same love and care for all living things.

[John Aitchison · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the time of writing there are 15 star ratings, and only one critique, that of Sara Chesterman which I can not improve on, except to say that this is a harrowing, no holds barred story. I can understand why not more have written a review - the language used and descriptions of Tim's ordeals are not for fainthearted maiden aunts. The author(s) are to be congratulated. If this is not a best seller I will lose faith in humanity! Incidentally, I read a soft cover edition, not the Kindle one.

[Libby Prell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tim & Deb bring the reader right into the moment of this extraordinary life story; I felt in my heart the trauma, the elders scream at me, the inside of the caravan, the kindness of Blake’s the deep love with Wendy & joy Jacob brought. And the breath of the animals. I couldn’t put it down. Bless and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[Chase · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tim's story from abused child of religious zealots to esteemed international zookeeper is a wild ride! The fact that he survived it all is a testament to his resilience.

[Maree Neill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bravely shared life story, giving hope when guided by self insight. Easy to read.

[Jo Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, a book that should be read to realise what it is to be human, the responsibility of being human with the realisation of the compassion we need to show toward all species for their survival and our own.
That was the ultimate conclusion l came to and feel passionate about but it is simply too, a story of a man who suffered terrible injustice as a child but overcame that to become an international specialist for improving animal care and designing some of the best global zoos.
I truely applaud you Tim Husband.

[Alayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 and a half stars. This was a very disturbing book and quite hard to read, especially in the early chapters. There were times I had to put it down and come back to it later. The animals were Tim's salvation, and also his wife, Wendy. Well written, except for one puzzling bit - he was in Sydney in January, "soaking up the winter sun"! January is the middle of summer! As he is a person who grew up in NZ, and now lives in Australia, I am quite astounded that that phrase got through all the checks that should have been done on the book!

[Kerri Fulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. Covered two topics close to my heart; mental health and animal wellbeing.It is just a genuine story of his life’s trials and triumphs. I was not expecting the story to be as dark as it was at times and it would be difficult for some people to read. But definitely worth reading.

[Rozanna Lilley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Compelling life story marred by pedestrian writing - ultimately a story of resilience and redemption but much darker than the humorous title suggests

[Sue Gould · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5….
An interesting story of resilience and the overcoming of enormous odds.