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.
- ISBN10 1843955296
- ISBN13 9781843955290
- Publish Date 1 November 2004 (first published 25 September 2003)
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 7 July 2016
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher F A Thorpe (Publishers)
- Imprint Ulverscroft Large Print Books Ltd
- Edition Large type / large print edition
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 360
- Language English