AMANKA STORIES

Amanka is a word from one of the languages used by people living in the rural north west of Uganda.

It's a beautiful, rich word that means ‘family'. Yet, in the forests and villages of this part of Uganda – and across much of tropical Africa and Asia – families are at war. In the narrowing margins between forest and farm, human and non-human, there is a growing conflict. A deadly conflict.

The Amanka Book Project has been coordinated by writer, David Blissett and primate curator, Lou Grossfeldt. They celebrate our closest living relatives, by sharing the stories and experiences of the people who are working, fighting, and sometimes risking their lives to save them. The focus is on all ape species (gorilla, orangutan, chimpanzee, bonobo and the gibbon family). These are stories of sacrifice and courage and hope; tears and happiness; love and loss. In each chapter, Lou and David speak with people who devote their lives to the conservation and wellbeing of the apes. This includes scientists, researchers, caregivers, vets, filmmakers and conservation advocates. Many of the stories in this book have never been told before and will give readers a direct insight into the day-to-day heartaches, challenges and joys of working with these intelligent, sentient beings.

Lou Grossfeldt is a conservationist and ape husbandry specialist. She is the Primate Manager at Sydney Zoo in the Bungarribee Parklands of Western Sydney, teaches animal management courses for TAFE NSW, and works with ape conservation organisations around the world, including Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation and The Jane Goodall Institute. She is currently completing a Master's in Animal Welfare, Ethics and Law.

David Blissett is a writer of both fiction and narrative non-fiction. He has won multiple national awards for short fiction and has featured in numerous anthologies including the Award Winning Australian Writing series. His non-fiction work focuses on wildlife conservation and the interaction between humans and the natural world.