Chimpanzees have given me so much. The long hours spent with them in the forest have enriched my life beyond measure. What I have learned from them has shaped my understanding of human behavior, of our place in nature.

Especially now when views are becoming more polarized, we must work to understand each other across political, religious and national boundaries.

We now know that the structure of the DNA in humans and chimpanzees differs by only just over one percent. You could even have a blood transfusion from a chimp, provided you have the same blood group.

Whales, like elephants, are so social and intelligent. This hurts me to think of them being transported, put in noisy airplanes, and brought to a horrible concrete pen when they're supposed to be out in the sea.

A chimp would never plan to pull another's nails out.

You can't do everything. You can't do health and forestry and agriculture. You've got to focus and do one or the other.

My favorite animals are dogs.