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.
"Armstrong was in the forefront of exchanging experiences with
other zoos around the world, developing a network of relationships
that spread advances made in gorilla husbandry and zoo
management....Though the author's discussions of zoo management are
... engaging, the most heart-touching material is found in the
profiles of the gorillas. A pleasing gathering of distinct
personalities and unique stories from the ape house."--Kirkus
Reviews
"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
"Gorillas are also individuals, with unique quirks, personalities,
and histories, and Armstrong writes about them with insight,
intimacy, and heart in her lovely new memoir, Voices from the Ape
House." --Dave Ghose, Columbus Monthly
"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
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