Attending my first Int’l Gorilla Workshop, where it has been a joy and an honor to be in the company of new and old friends—gorilla conservationists, caretakers, storytellers, and more! And especially awesome to be rooming w fellow Borneo adventurer (from my 2022 trip), Maegan Leavendusky!
One of the high points of my recent trip to Africa was when several Children’s Book Creators for Conservation members read our books to kids at Theleluwazi Creche* (preschool). I read “Flamingo’s First Flight” from an advance copy of FIVE-MINUTE ANIMAL TALES, which officially releases TOMORROW. I loved hearing my words translated by Aphiwe, @wildtomorrow ’s brilliant Community Conservation Manager, and seeing the kids stand on one leg like flamingos at her prompting!! (*Did you know that flamingo parents leave their chicks in groups called “creches” when they go off to forage for food?)
Growing up I didn’t know what a primatologist was, I just wanted to be Jane Goodall. For conservationists, there was no greater inspiration. For chimpanzees, no greater friend. 💔
Last week the @cbcc_wild team spent a morning working with the Green Mambas, Wild Tomorrow’s habitat restoration team. Spending a few hours in the hot sun pulling invasive plants out by the root gave me tremendous appreciation for the work these warrior women do every day to restore Ukewela’s native sand forest habitat. It’s one thing to read about the conservation work being done around the world and quite another to see it in action and even break a sweat while lending a hand. Our contributions may have been small, but our love intentions are mighty. Mad respect to the Green Mambas!
SOUTH AFRICA. It’s waning days of my life-changing adventure with @cbcc_wild and @wildtomorrow . I’ve been remiss about posting but every day has been a nonstop cavalcade of experiences and emotions. From bottle-feeding a blind orphan rhino to searching for snares in the bush, not to mention multitudinous game drives, I’m in seventh heaven and full sensory overload. A few safari pics for now. More to come…
When I wrote this book I had no idea whether I’d ever return to Africa. But by an amazing chain of events, my author copies arrived just as I am starting to pack for my upcoming adventures with @cbcc_wild and @wildtomorrow in South Africa and @chimfunshiwildlifeorphanage in Zambia. I leave in less than 2 weeks and look forward to sharing lots of pics and stories here!
How it started / How it ended… Photo of me holding baby Nic just before I started my new job at the Zoo, and trying to recreate the photo 21 years later, as my job is coming to an end.
HUGE NEWS!!! ♥️🦍🤩 My book, ANGELA & LULINGU: TWO GORILLAS, A WORLD APART, ends with hope that orphaned gorilla Lulingu (adopted into a new family at @gracegorillas ) would one day return to the wild. I’m thrilled to announce that day has come! Lulingu and three other females have been released in Virunga National Park, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. It’s the first time adult Grauer’s gorillas, rescued from the illegal wildlife trade, have been rehabilitated and returned to their native habitat. They have already integrated into a wild troop led by an impressive silverback. This isn’t the end of Lulingu’s story, but a great new beginning! Read more: n.com/2025/05/29/science/gorilla-successful-translocation-drc-virunga-c2e-spc
