PERHAPS A GIFT VOUCHER FOR MUM?: MOTHER'S DAY
Beth Armstrong spent much of her life caring for and observing gorillas--first as a keeper and then as head keeper at the Columbus Zoo, 1982-1996. She became a passionate proponent and voice for gorillas in the wild--and many other species--as the first Field Conservation Coordinator at the Columbus and Brevard Zoos, respectively. She continues to promote the role of zoos in supporting fieldwork that actively protects great ape species in the wild.
Beth Armstrong turns a revealing account of her career as an ape keeper into a love song for an extraordinary species. She captures the poignant tension between the magic of interacting closely with gorillas in captivity and the desperate need to support them in the wild. Her intimate revelations beautifully demonstrate that storytelling has a vital role to play in inspiring the next generation of conservationists. --Dr. Richard Wrangham, author of The Goodness Paradox: The Strange Relationship Between Virtue and Violence in Human Evolution Voices from the Ape House is a powerful journey through a remarkable time in zoological history. Throughout, Beth Armstrong examines the unique relationship between animals and people--showing that there is so much more to be learned as we work every day to conserve these magnificent creatures. --Jack Hanna, host of Jack Hanna's Into the Wild This beautifully written, heartfelt account of a zookeeper's experiences when in the company of gorillas testifies to the richness and rewards of human-animal coexistence. It is a must-read for all wildlife enthusiasts and certainly for budding zookeepers. --Richard Johnstone Scott, former head gorilla keeper at Howletts Wild Animal Park and Jersey Island Zoo and author of Jambo: A Gorilla's Story
