Kindred Beings - by Sheri Speede (Paperback)

From the Back Cover

Enter a world of tender friendships, staunch loyalties, violent jealousies--and enduring love.

As a child, Sheri Speede knew that she wanted to advocate for animals in any way she could. But it was not until many years after veterinary school, when she was transporting a chimpanzee named Pierre away from a biomedical facility as part of her job as a conservation advocate in Cameroon, that Dr. Speede discovered her true calling. She began to search for land for a forest sanctuary for captive chimpanzees that were held on chains and in small cages at local hotels.

Dr. Speede eventually founded the Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center, a forested home for orphans of the illegal ape meat trade. One chim- panzee, Dorothy, was rescued by Dr. Speede and her colleagues from a bleak existence imprisoned on a chain and forged a deep friendship with her. Dr. Speede explains how chimpanzees, like humans, are capable of a broad spectrum of emotional behaviors--both hateful and loving. Dr. Speede also candidly reveals her own struggles as a stranger in a foreign culture trying to adjust to rural African village life. And she admits that unlike Dorothy, she was not always kind, gentle, and forgiving.

Dorothy died of old age at the sanctuary, and a photograph of Dorothy's funeral, in which Dr. Speede cradled Dorothy's head while her family of chimpanzees mournfully viewed her body, went viral after being published in National Geographic. The world was surprised at the depth of the chimps' grief at the loss of their friend, but Dr. Speede was not. Through the chimps, she had come to understand the meaning of love, loyalty, and true connection.

While this is a compelling story about the emotional complexity of the chimpanzees she rescued and befriended, it is also Dr. Speede's story. Major events in her personal life, including love affairs, dangerous run-ins with criminals, and the birth of her daughter, unfold as the development of her primate rescue center runs parallel to her own development. Ultimately, Kindred Beings is a story of profound resilience, of both the apes and the woman who loved them.

Review Quotes

"Sheri Speede's powerful story shows the reader the broad range of personalities seen in chimpanzees, which are remarkably similar to humans, with complex emotional needs, a rich social fabric, and self-awareness. The lesson offered by this book has importance for all earth's animals. It removes veils of denial, it opens our eyes to the reality that all animals have emotions and experience joy as well as suffering, and it pleads for an end to animal abuse." - Marilyn Kroplick, M.D., president of IDA-Africa

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

"Sheri Speede could have looked the other way. Oregon is very far from Africa, and the cruelty and injustice she saw inflicted on chimpanzees in Cameroon could easily have been left to others to address. But she didn't. Sheri chose to make a difference in the lives of Jacky, Nama, Dorothy and dozens of others apes, and her ability to restore their shattered worlds says as much about Sheri's commitment as the chimpanzees' inner-strength. Sheri battled ignorance and apathy and evil, yet ultimately emerged triumphant perhaps for one simple reason: Humanity is not restricted to human beings." - Douglas Cress, Program Coordinator, Great Apes Survival Partnership (GRASP)

"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"

"Wildlife trafficking is robbing the world of so much of its precious wildlife. Efforts are being made to end this trade by enforcing wildlife protection laws, which means prosecuting offenders and confiscating animals. In Cameroon, Dr. Sheri Speede has enabled law enforcement by establishing an excellent forest sanctuary where rescued chimpanzees get care and love. Without facilities like hers, animals would not be confiscated and would instead suffer lives of abuse or move on in the sordid international trade. Read this book, meet the fascinating chimpanzees, and you'll wish that the remarkable woman could be cloned!" - Dr. Shirley McGreal of International Primate Protection League

"All who read this book will be deeply moved. How fortunate for Dorothy and the other orphaned, captive chimpanzees--and for those of us who care about them, passionately--that there are people like Sheri Speede who risk their health, and work for a pittance, to rescue them. Sheri's words will bring a tear to all but the hardest of hearts. And a lot of smiles as well." - Jane Goodall, Ph.D., DBE, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and a UN Messenger of Peace

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