In My Family Tree: A Life with Chimpanzees

by Sheila Siddle, Jane Goodall (Foreword), Doug Cress (Primary Contributor)

Sheila Siddle's life was changed forever one fateful day in 1983 when a local game ranger brought a battered, malnourished chimpanzee to the door of her cattle ranch in central Zambia and asked her to do whatever she could to save it. As Sheila and her husband nursed it back to health, they treated the young chimp they would name Pal as if he were a human infant — feeding him medicine and bottled milk, sharing their bed with him at night, and carrying him on their backs until he regained the strength to survive on his own. From these humble beginnings Sheila and David Siddle would go on to launch the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage, an internationally acclaimed animal refuge that has grown to become the home for more than eighty chimps, one disarmingly domesticated hippopotamus named Billy, and a variety of other endangered animals. In My Family Tree is the inspiring journey of a woman who has dedicated her life to providing a refuge for chimpanzees in Africa — and of the chimps that have become a part of her family along the way.

Genres: Nonfiction, Africa

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

After volunteering at Chimfunshi for a month, I came home, and missed the work and faces of the sanctuary dearly. Since I had heard from the other volunteer about Sheila's story, and since Sheila had told me many stories herself, it was the perfect read to bring me back. What an amazing story about how the chimpanzee sanctuary got started, highlighting both the ups and down of their journey. It was inspiring to read about how it all began, and even better to know how far it has come. To read about some of the chimps I had gotten to know, that was truly special. Especially Mila.. She still carries a blanket with her everywhere, and wow is she ever smart. If I have one critic, I wish she would have spoke more of the keepers. I spent much time with Patrick, and the others, and I think it's a shame she doesn't give them the credit they deserve for all they do on a daily basis to make the chimps have a better life, (not even in the thank yous!) But that is a more personal note, and I think that this book is a great read for any animal lover.

[Janyce Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love to read about how people get involved setting up animal sanctuaries, especially for chimps. They are so like our own babies in the beginning, but become so dangerous and difficult to control, in captivity, as they get older. That so many need to be given homes in sanctuaries is the unfortunate dilemma. The dedication of the Siddles to caring for so many chimps (and other animals) and to giving them the best kind of life possible is truly admirable.

[Petra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Het is bijzonder dat Sheila en David op latere leeftijd semi-spontaan een opvang starten voor chimpansees als er eentje ondervoed bij hun terecht komt. Het is duidelijk dat ze veel om dieren geven en dat ze al doende leren wat er handig is met kleine apen, met het vormgeven van een opvang en voor welke keuzes je komt te staan. Helaas is Sheila niet een echte schrijver (of was er weinig sturing van een ghostwriter?) en vertelt ze uitgebreid over de vechtpartijen of andere capriolen van apen (wat ik niet altijd heel interessant vind om uitgebreid over te lezen) terwijl het hoofdstuk eigenlijk lijkt te gaan over het bouwen van een 'Chinese muur' om de apen binnen te houden. Terwijl ze minder diep ingaat op bepaalde overwegingen waar ik wel meer over had willen horen: zoals waarom kies je ervoor om apen binnen een opvang families te laten starten? Want er gaan ook geluiden op die denken een opvang zou op een bepaald moment eigenlijk wellicht niet meer nodig moeten zijn.

[Ninbooklover · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay so the first chapter almost made me cry.
Sandy's story was really sad but it shows us how strong animals can be and that animals especially chimps have the same emotions as us humans.
I've read better biographies so that's the reason I'm giving this 3.5/5 🌟 The writing is not the problem but I wasn't that impressed as the others. I loved the stories about the chimps and there journey.
The dedication the Siddles are giving these chimps are amazing and admirable. All animals deserve love and good care.

[Amy Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely,easy to read memoir of a fantastic couple and an unforeseen destiny to save Chimps. Lots of intriguing and cute stories and some sad parts towards the end. I really liked Billy the hippo,she was so cute!

The amount of work and dedication they have is mind-blowing. So grateful to all people who run sanctuaries.

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheila has done so much for rescued chimps from the pet and bushmeat trades.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, quick read. Very special people making a difference in the lives of many animals.

[Dani Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

a fascinating first-person account of falling into a unintended lifework.