The Chimps Of Fauna Sanctuary (A True Story of Resilience and Recovery)

“Astonishing . . . Moving.” —People

“The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary is an unflinching, visceral look at the emotional and physical damage—actual, real damage done to specific, individual apes—in some of America’s most notorious biomedical research labs. It is also the story of humans who were driven to provide them with refuge, retirement . . . and, ultimately, their inherent right to dignity.” —Sara Gruen, author of Water for Elephants

IN THE CANADIAN WILDERNESS, Gloria Grow has created a rehabilitation center like none other. Thirteen chimpanzees, rescued from zoos and medical testing laboratories, now call Fauna Sanctuary home. After decades of cruelty and deprivation, these resilient primates are finally free to eat, sleep, play, and roam in peace—all while fighting their personal demons. Primatologist and author Andrew Westoll lived and worked at Fauna one remarkable summer, and The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary is his poignant testimony to the capacity of these animals to heal—and to learn to be chimps again. This is an absorbing, bighearted story about the species more closely related to us than any other.

“There is plenty of moral outrage in this book, but there is also plenty of wonder . . . Impassioned and well reasoned.” —Cleveland Plain Dealer