In 1990, while Vince Smith was working as a senior keeper at Chester Zoo, a newborn chimpanzee in his care was abandoned by her mother. Named Sophie, the baby chimp was taken home and hand-reared by Vince and his wife. Six months later another new baby arrived: Oliver, their son. Sophie's Story is an enthralling account of Sophie's life, taking readers on an emotional journey through her early years in the English countryside with Vince and his family; her traumatic removal from the family she adored into a captive zoo world; her repatriation to Africa and eventual reunion with her human foster family; and, finally, her integration into a semi-wild group of chimpanzees. Other accounts have been written about pet animals reared in people's homes, but this book is different: Sophie wasn't a pet. A highly personal narrative centred on a chimpanzee raised with human foster parents. Describing in detail the parallel upbringing of an infant chimp and a human child, it is an inspirational story that provides fascinating insights into the nature of our closest-living relatives - and indeed ourselves.
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About the Author
Vince Smith holds an MSc in Behavioural Ecology and has devoted much of his life to conservation issues. From 1987 to 1993 he was senior keeper of apes at Chester Zoo, also working as a consultant for the Jane Goodall Institute in the Republic of Congo. In 1993 he left England to set up and manage the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Nanyuki, Kenya. He now lives in Rwanda, where he manages the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund's mountain gorilla conservation programme.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
A bittersweet and gentle tale,
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This review is from: Sophie S Story B (Paperback)
Sophie's Story is author Vince Smith's compelling account of raising an orphaned chimpanzee. What makes this story unique is Sophie, the chimp is reared with the author's human son Oliver. Sophie and Oliver are very close to the same age; Smith's observation of interaction and development of chimp and human child is delightful. This story takes us from the rural countryside of England to Kenya and is infused with hardship, adventure, sadness and much good humour, occasionally it is laugh-out-loud hilarious. I didn't want it to end. This book would appeal to a wide rage of ages.
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