Orangutans My Cousins, My Friends: A journey to understand and save the person of the forest

by Leif Cocks

Orangutans My Cousins, My Friends...
For almost 3 decades Leif Cocks has tirelessly worked for orangutans to improve their welfare in captivity and ensure their ongoing survival in the wild. As an author, speaker and founder of the international charity, The Orangutan Project, he is recognised globally as an expert in his chosen field.

In his latest book, Orangutans. My Cousins, My Friends he shares with us the fascinating inside story of his personal journey, a journey which ultimately led him to dedicate his life to the care and conservation of all orangutans and their natural habitats. Combined with his personal insights he shares the captivating and sometimes challenging stories of the many orangutans he was worked for over the years.

And perhaps, most importantly, he explains the key philosophies underpinning the work of his organisation, The Orangutan Project, and outlines the fundamental shifts in thinking and behaviour that we, as humans, must make if we are to avoid the imminent extinction of our remarkable orange cousins.

Part memoir, part philosophical discussion, part scientific case for conservation and 100% a call to action for all who wish to help save this critically endangered Great Ape, Leif’s book will inspire, inform and touch hearts…. And it may just change the way you see and act in the world forever.

In this inspiring book, you will
•The 4 specific characteristics which differentiate the orangutans from other Great Apes
•Why orangutans are the most intelligent beings on the planet today, second only to humans
•Leif's personal journey to know and understand orangutans and how he came to be an expert witness in a human rights case on behalf of an orangutan named Sandra
•The 5 things you can start doing today to help save the orangutans from extinction and preserve the last remaining populations of these critically endangered species in the wild
•Learn how by protecting and conserving their rainforest habitat we can also save the planet for future generations
•Plus the remarkable, heart warming stories of some of the orangutans, Leif has come to know as friends… and much, much more

"I am often asked why I choose to work for orangutans.
And my honest answer is, that in many ways, it was the orangutans who first chose me.
As I’m sure you can imagine, my answer is often met with quizzical looks, raised eyebrows and an even greater curiosity on the part of the questioner. But the truth is that I never consciously planned to do this work. Nor did I envision myself as becoming an author, a speaker or an outspoken campaigner on their behalf. And I certainly had no idea that I would one day found and lead an international conservation charity, The Orangutan Project, to ensure the welfare and survival of our remarkable orange cousins.

However, from experience, I’ve come to see that life has a way of putting unexpected possibilities and significant choices across our paths, and the decision is always our individual responsibility as to how we will respond. So it was for me, that by the time we started The Orangutan Project back in 1998, it had become the single, most obvious course of action for me to take. In fact, to not start the organisation and dedicate my life to this work was simply no-longer an option…."

Genres: Nonfiction, Environment, Animals

239 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 18, 2016

Reviews

[Angela]

Leif Cocks is one of those remarkable humans who stands out as being proactive and committed to the plight of all orangutans, those in captivity and those remaining in the wild.

It was interesting to learn about the man himself, where he grew up, his love of animals from an early age, his first part-time and full-time jobs, his education, before moving on to acquire his dream job at the time, working as a zoo-keeper at Perth Zoo.

This is where it all began for Leif, a very special journey which would ultimately have him realise how much he loved working with orangutans, "a purpose through his career, and a cause to which he could commit."

I enjoyed the pearls of wisdom referenced in the book, one from Bruce Lee, the famous Kung Fu artist, on Wisdom for a Harmonious Life, "Absorb what is useful, reject what is useless, add what is essentially your own." This one from Chief Seattle in 1854, "Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect."

A wonderful insight into orangutans, believed to be the most intelligent of the Great Apes by far (except Humans), they have the proven ability to problem solve, and the female orangutan's maternal instinct is quoted as being unsurpassed, being the most devoted, loving and nurturing of mothers.

There are of course accounts in the book which are extremely sad, but also some great outcomes and heart warming experiences which Leif shares as well.

The destruction of rainforest and natural habitat must be stopped in order to save not only the orangutans, but also animals such as the Sumatran tiger, elephant and rhinoceros, all critically endangered. If this destruction continues, our beautiful orange cousins will become extinct in the wild, and the last survivor will die in captivity.

"The inconvenient truth is that the destruction of rainforest and natural habitat causes more global warming than all the transport systems in the world combined." Leif Cocks (page 147)

Leif and his team at The Orangutan Project have provided a voice for the orangutans.

[Fiona]

I'm so glad I get to exist on the same planet as them

[Harley Robb]

It had the most writing errors I have ever seen. It was interesting hearing about his experiences with conservation and zoo work, but near the end of the book it started to wander around and get muddled.

However, Leif's work is absolutely valuable and important. I can admire his strong opinions even if I disagree with some of his ways of expressing them. Ultimately, he just has a lot of love for life and values each organism on this planet. I respect it!

[Joanne Scott]

I absolutely LOVED this book because it is so inspirational. Leif Cocks is a zoologist who has worked with the likes of Jane Goodall and Biruté Galdikas, and the book tells about his remarkable transformation from a young boy who dreamt of becoming a zoo keeper (and being told by his teacher that it was an impossible dream), to actually becoming one…and then the progression he went through from zookeeper to dedicating his life to saving orangutans in the wild. Twenty years ago, Leif formed the internationally renowned organization “The Orangutan Project”, which strives not only to rehabilitate and release orphaned and injured orangutans in Borneo and Sumatra, but also strives to save their habitat. In the book, he shares some amazing facts and stories about his experiences with various orangutans, as well as the process he went through during the formation of “The Orangutan Project”. What really resonated with me were the philosophical chapters in the book. Leif not only shares his mission behind “The Orangutan Project”, but he also shares how we can all make a positive difference. Over the years, his life changed completely, and he now feels fulfilled because he has a purpose that is higher than himself, and he demonstrates that this possibility exists for all of us. I am constantly inspired by ordinary people who do extraordinary things. Read the book, and be inspired!

[Mirela]

A good, wholesome read with a genuinely heartfelt mission behind it. I especially appreciated that all proceeds go directly toward orangutan conservation efforts, which made the book’s shortcomings easier to overlook. Ahead of an upcoming orangutan tracking trip, I found it helpful and informative in understanding both the animals themselves and the realities of conservation work on the ground. The writing and editing can be rough in places, and the book occasionally loses focus. Still, the sincerity of the project comes through clearly, and ultimately it feels more like a passionate advocacy effort than a polished literary work — which, for me, made it sufficiently worthwhile.

[Tracy]

A book that opens your thinking to see the big picture and live compassionately and responsibly.

[Heather Browning]

This is partly a biography of an animal keeper and conservationist, partly a book of orangutan stories and partly a 'how to' guide to effective conservation action. I loved the animal stories - orangutans will never fail to fascinate me - but most interesting was Leif Cocks' take on how to run a successful conservation organisation to make meaningful change. The level of dedication and motivation he has shown throughout his career is inspiring, and this is the sort of book that should guide everyone working in the field.

[Felisitas Flora Sambe Mambela]

I learn many things about orangutan from this book. Actually, it is not about "what is orangutan?"; but about "How we (as human) see orangutan as cousin - as individu".