Christel Hann

Hugging the Chimps: Adventures in Burundi Christel Hann

Hugging the Chimps is thefascinating story of a woman who ventures to Burundi, in Central Africa, to fulfill her life-long dream: tolive with chimpanzees and experience first-hand what they are really like. Inthe midst of a brutal civil war that devastates the country and claims thelives of two fellow workers at the Jane GoodallInstitute, she provides tender loving care to a large group of orphanedchimpanzees who have been rescued from poachers and pet traders. Life with the chimpanzees is notall joy. The frisky youngsters frequently attack and bite fellow-apes andcaretakers. A baby chimp is stillborn. A powerful, escaped male launches a nearfatal assault on one of the keepers. Other first-hand accounts include trips tobleak refugee camps, visits to an orphanage for children from Rwanda, and a weekend spent tracking wild chimpanzees through the forest. As the author gets to know hercharges intimately, her life-long fascination with chimpanzees turns into truelove of the creatures who have more than 98% of theirgenes in common with man. This is an inspiring andinformative story that will delight all readers, especially those who loveanimals and tales of travel and adventure.